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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 120 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. This piece is in a major ________________.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. can — to be able to
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. present — the time now
  7. season — in sport
  8. present — a gift
  9. key — for a lock
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. can — a tin
  13. foot — a measure
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. key — the most important part
  16. calf — of the leg
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. key — in music
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. present — there
  22. can — a tin
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. season — of the year

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com