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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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. That was ________________ to happen.
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  14. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. kick — with a leg
  4. pit — a hole
  5. board — to get on
  6. kick — in football
  7. bound — obliged
  8. board — a committee
  9. bound — certain
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. can — a tin
  13. pit — in a race
  14. bound — tied together
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. kick — a thrill
  17. can — to be able to
  18. can — a tin
  19. cue — a hint
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. cue — a signal
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. cue — for pool

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