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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 information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  2. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. It's one o'clock ________________.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  11. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  18. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  19. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a document
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. mark — a trace
  5. file — a tool
  6. file — a line of people
  7. pit — a hole
  8. sharp — exactly
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. mark — a grade
  11. mark — to pay attention
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. key — in music
  15. pit — in a race
  16. key — the most important part
  17. sharp — with an edge
  18. arm — a part of something
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. sharp — clever
  21. rush — hurry
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. key — for a lock
  24. rush — to hurry

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