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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. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  3. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  9. The ________________ went through the wall.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. The ________________ market has crashed.
  21. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  24. What's the difference between broth and ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. bank — for money
  3. wound — past of 'wind'
  4. bank — of a river
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. wound — an injury
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. stock — goods
  9. nail — for a hammer
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. foot — a measure
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. bank — for money
  20. stock — shares
  21. wound — an injury
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. deal — to handle
  24. stock — a soup base

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