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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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468
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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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. season — in sport
  4. key — for a lock
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. foot — a measure
  8. charge — in control
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. season — of the year
  14. charge — a price
  15. key — in music
  16. mug — to rob
  17. kid — child
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. mug — a face
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. charge — electricity
  23. kid — to tease
  24. key — the most important part

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