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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 sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  3. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  15. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  16. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. My father caught me by the ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. wound — past of 'wind'
  3. patient — calm and waiting
  4. mug — to rob
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. wound — an injury
  11. mug — a cup
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. wave — with your hand
  16. wound — an injury
  17. foot — a measure
  18. mug — a face
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. wave — of the sea
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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