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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: roll · arm · content · wave · leaves · toast · can · march

  1. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  2. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  5. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  6. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. We're on a ________________ here.
  16. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  19. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  20. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — of the sea
  2. march — the month
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. content — happy
  5. content — videos and posts
  6. march — the month
  7. can — a tin
  8. roll — a list
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. can — a tin
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. march — music
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. roll — on a roll
  16. roll — a cake
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. content — the amount
  19. wave — a sudden rise
  20. wave — with your hand
  21. toast — bread
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. can — to be able to
  24. arm — part of the body

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