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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 120 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'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  20. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  24. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — part of the body
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. arm — a part of something
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. charge — in control
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. bat — in an idiom
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. staff — employees
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. charge — a price
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. bat — the animal
  20. bat — for baseball
  21. charge — electricity
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. staff — a stick
  24. staff — employees

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