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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
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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: mug · rash · bowl · cabinet · fan · foot · wave · rock

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  3. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  6. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. wave — a sudden rise
  3. wave — with your hand
  4. mug — a cup
  5. foot — part of the body
  6. wave — of the sea
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. rock — a stone
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. fan — to cool the air
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. mug — a face
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. rock — music
  17. mug — to rob
  18. bowl — a dish
  19. rash — hasty
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. foot — a measure

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