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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. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. I can't ________________ this cold.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  15. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  16. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  17. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  18. He is an ace ________________.
  19. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. drill — a practice
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. chip — for betting
  7. mug — a face
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. stand — to bear
  10. chip — to eat
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. arm — a part of something
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. drill — army training
  15. drill — the tool
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. lean — to bend
  18. pitcher — in baseball
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. lean — thin
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. chip — in a computer
  23. mug — a cup
  24. mug — to rob

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