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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 120 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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: cabinet · foot · current · staff · arm · lash · mug · mouse

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. My father caught me by the ________________.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. staff — employees
  6. mug — a face
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. mug — a cup
  9. foot — a measure
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. mug — to rob
  14. current — happening now
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. current — of water
  18. current — electric
  19. staff — a stick
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. arm — a part of something
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. staff — employees

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