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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 120 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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. foot — a measure
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. fine — all right
  8. charge — a price
  9. deal — to handle
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. charge — electricity
  13. capital — a city
  14. rock — a stone
  15. rock — music
  16. suit — in cards
  17. suit — clothes
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. capital — a big letter
  20. suit — to fit
  21. stand — to bear
  22. fine — high quality
  23. charge — in control
  24. capital — money

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