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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 124 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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  8. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  16. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  21. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  22. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. face — to point toward
  3. mate — a friend
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. craft — boats
  8. drill — army training
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. stand — to bear
  11. foot — a measure
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. craft — a skill
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. face — to confront
  16. jam — a tight spot
  17. mate — to breed
  18. drill — a practice
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. face — part of the head
  21. drill — the tool
  22. craft — a handicraft
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. mate — a partner

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