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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 newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  12. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. The King held a masked ________________.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. foot — a measure
  5. pound — to hit hard
  6. can — to be able to
  7. bass — the fish
  8. can — a tin
  9. deal — to handle
  10. fine — high quality
  11. pound — for dogs
  12. bass — the instrument
  13. ball — a great time
  14. fine — all right
  15. pound — a weight
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. can — a tin
  21. ball — a dance
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. fine — a penalty
  24. bass — low music

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