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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. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  2. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  6. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  22. My father caught me by the ________________.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. pitch — a sales talk
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. foot — a measure
  5. can — to be able to
  6. march — the month
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. mug — to rob
  9. pitch — a sports field
  10. can — a tin
  11. march — music
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. mark — a trace
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. mark — a grade
  18. mug — a face
  19. can — a tin
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. pitch — completely
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. mug — a cup

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