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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. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. The ball hit the back of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. can — a tin
  4. net — for catching
  5. pass — a permit
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. dip — to dunk
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. foot — a measure
  12. can — a tin
  13. net — after costs
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. dip — to sink
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. can — to be able to
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. rush — hurry
  24. net — in sport

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