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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. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  5. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  6. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  7. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. race — the arms race
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. race — humankind
  5. race — a contest
  6. band — a music group
  7. band — a ring
  8. can — a tin
  9. can — to be able to
  10. root — of a word
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. root — the cause
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. foot — a measure
  17. root — of a plant
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. rock — music
  20. band — a rubber band
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. can — a tin
  24. rock — a stone

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