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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  7. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  10. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. can — to be able to
  4. can — a tin
  5. mug — a cup
  6. scale — in music
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. trunk — of a tree
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. can — a tin
  13. stand — to bear
  14. hide — animal skin
  15. mug — a face
  16. scale — size or range
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. foot — a measure
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. scale — for weighing
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  24. mug — to rob

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