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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 kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  19. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. can — a tin
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. can — to be able to
  7. spell — magic
  8. ball — a great time
  9. rock — music
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. ball — a dance
  12. temple — side of the head
  13. cue — for pool
  14. spell — letters
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. can — a tin
  17. spell — a short time
  18. cue — a signal
  19. temple — a place of worship
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. rock — a stone
  22. cue — a hint
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. foot — a measure

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