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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. My father caught me by the ________________.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — part of the body
  2. lie — to recline
  3. stand — to bear
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. can — a tin
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. lash — an eyelash
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. lash — to lash out
  16. can — to be able to
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. can — a tin
  19. foot — a measure
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. arm — a part of something
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. stand — on your feet

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