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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  5. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  6. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. The ball is in your ________________.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  18. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  19. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  20. You don't need to ________________ round.
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  23. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. can — a tin
  4. court — of law
  5. mate — a friend
  6. court — of a king
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. can — a tin
  9. pit — a hole
  10. arm — a part of something
  11. pop — soda
  12. court — for sport
  13. bank — for money
  14. pit — a fruit stone
  15. can — to be able to
  16. bank — of a river
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. mate — to breed
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. pop — to visit
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. pop — music
  23. bank — for money
  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