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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. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  9. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  13. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  14. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  15. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  22. He is an ace ________________.
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. file — a document
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. vault — a safe
  5. foot — a measure
  6. vault — an arched ceiling
  7. pop — soda
  8. face — to confront
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. face — to point toward
  11. pop — music
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. file — a tool
  14. lie — to recline
  15. file — a line of people
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. face — part of the head
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. lash — a whip stroke
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. vault — in gymnastics
  22. pitcher — in baseball
  23. pop — to visit
  24. lash — to lash out

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