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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: foot · lie · staff · bowl · bulb · deal · jam · board

  1. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  2. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. staff — a stick
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. foot — a measure
  5. deal — to handle
  6. bowl — a dish
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. staff — employees
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. bowl — to roll
  14. board — a committee
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. bulb — for light
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. board — to get on
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. bulb — for light
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. staff — employees
  24. lie — to recline

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