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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. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  7. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. He was locked up in a ________________.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  18. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — for tennis
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. racket — a loud noise
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. cell — in biology
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. can — a tin
  13. mark — a trace
  14. can — a tin
  15. cell — in a prison
  16. foot — a measure
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. cell — a phone
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. mark — a grade
  21. deal — to handle
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. can — to be able to
  24. mark — to pay attention

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