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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. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  9. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  10. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  22. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. racket — a loud noise
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. current — electric
  6. club — a group
  7. current — of water
  8. racket — for tennis
  9. bass — the instrument
  10. club — for golf
  11. bound — certain
  12. foot — a measure
  13. bass — low music
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. deal — a big deal
  16. bass — the fish
  17. bound — obliged
  18. deal — to handle
  19. calf — a young animal
  20. current — happening now
  21. bound — tied together
  22. club — for dancing
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. deal — an agreement

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