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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 train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  2. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  3. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  16. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  21. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — on your feet
  2. jam — a tight spot
  3. kick — in football
  4. charge — a price
  5. fine — high quality
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. charge — electricity
  8. kick — a thrill
  9. bulb — for light
  10. foot — a measure
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. bulb — for light
  14. stand — to bear
  15. kick — with a leg
  16. jam — in traffic
  17. fine — all right
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. bark — a dog's sound
  21. bark — of a tree
  22. charge — in control
  23. bark — to shout
  24. foot — part of the body

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