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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. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. We're almost out of ________________.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. You don't need to ________________ round.
  19. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. stock — goods
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. stock — a soup base
  5. mug — a cup
  6. foot — a measure
  7. pop — soda
  8. mark — a grade
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. pop — music
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. current — happening now
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. mug — a face
  18. pop — to visit
  19. foot — the bottom
  20. current — electric
  21. stock — shares
  22. current — of water
  23. mug — to rob
  24. mark — a trace

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