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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. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  10. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. We're on a ________________ here.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. Did you ________________ the button?
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. He took the fish out of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. net — in sport
  3. press — newspapers
  4. bank — of a river
  5. track — a path
  6. bank — for money
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. net — after costs
  10. roll — a list
  11. bank — for money
  12. can — a tin
  13. roll — a cake
  14. can — a tin
  15. roll — on a roll
  16. rush — hurry
  17. track — to keep track
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. can — to be able to
  20. foot — a measure
  21. track — a song
  22. press — to push
  23. press — a publisher
  24. net — for catching

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