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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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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: charge · stand · net · deal · foot · toast · can · rush

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. foot — part of the body
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. rush — hurry
  5. net — after costs
  6. can — to be able to
  7. net — in sport
  8. can — a tin
  9. charge — a price
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. toast — bread
  12. foot — the bottom
  13. can — a tin
  14. charge — in control
  15. net — for catching
  16. deal — to handle
  17. charge — electricity
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. foot — a measure
  23. stand — to bear
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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