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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 cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. mug — to rob
  4. can — a tin
  5. foot — the bottom
  6. current — of water
  7. can — to be able to
  8. foot — a measure
  9. track — to keep track
  10. mug — a cup
  11. can — a tin
  12. branch — of a tree
  13. suit — to fit
  14. track — a path
  15. track — a song
  16. object — a thing
  17. current — electric
  18. current — happening now
  19. branch — a division
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. mug — a face
  22. object — an aim
  23. suit — in cards
  24. object — to protest

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