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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. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. We're almost out of ________________.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  11. You don't need to ________________ round.
  12. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. I cannot shed a ________________ for that horrible man.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  23. It is only in accepting others that we can ________________ down our own barriers.
  24. Drying a ________________ is more honorable than shedding torrents of blood.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. pop — soda
  4. foot — a measure
  5. stick — to attach or keep to
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. bank — for money
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. wax — to grow
  10. wax — for sculpting
  11. pop — to visit
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. current — electric
  14. wax — in the ear
  15. bank — of a river
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. bank — for money
  18. tear — from crying
  19. current — of water
  20. current — happening now
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. pop — music
  23. tear — to rip
  24. tear — from crying

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