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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. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  19. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. dip — to dunk
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. branch — of a tree
  5. foot — a measure
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. staff — a stick
  8. rush — hurry
  9. staff — employees
  10. staff — employees
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. dip — to sink
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. rest — a break
  19. rest — what's left
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. rest — what's left
  22. branch — a division
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. branch — of a bank

Multiple-meaning words list

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

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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