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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.

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: mug · safe · fall · cabinet · mouse · arm · foot · ball

  1. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  2. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  10. The King held a masked ________________.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a great time
  2. arm — a part of something
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. fall — to drop
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. fall — to drop
  10. ball — a dance
  11. mug — a face
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. ball — a round shape
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. foot — a measure
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. mug — a cup
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. fall — the season
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. mug — to rob
  24. cabinet — ministers

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