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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. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  10. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  11. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. I can't ________________ this cold.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  21. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. foot — a measure
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. hand — in cards
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. bulb — for light
  9. drill — the tool
  10. hand — help
  11. hand — part of the body
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. mug — a face
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. stand — to bear
  18. mug — to rob
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. drill — a practice
  21. mug — a cup
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. toast — bread
  24. bulb — for light

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