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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. My father caught me by the ________________.
  6. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  7. The ________________ market has crashed.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  23. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  24. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. staff — employees
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. arm — part of the body
  6. dip — to sink
  7. stock — shares
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. foot — a measure
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. patient — a sick person
  19. staff — employees
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. staff — a stick
  22. patient — calm and waiting
  23. stock — goods
  24. arm — a part of something

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