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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. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  10. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  11. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  12. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  13. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  14. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. deal — to handle
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. bank — for money
  5. club — for dancing
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. club — a group
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. toast — bread
  10. bank — of a river
  11. perch — for a bird
  12. club — for golf
  13. deal — an agreement
  14. coach — pulled by horses
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. bank — for money
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. mark — a trace
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. foot — a measure
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. perch — the fish

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