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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 have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. Did you ________________ the button?
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  10. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  11. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  15. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  16. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. march — the month
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. press — newspapers
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. press — to push
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. march — music
  10. cap — a hat
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. rock — music
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. cap — a lid
  16. march — the month
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. foot — a measure
  19. cap — of ice
  20. mark — a grade
  21. press — a publisher
  22. racket — a loud noise
  23. rock — a stone
  24. mark — a trace

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