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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: foot · ruler · charge · straw · fine · ball · object · patient

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  4. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  23. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  24. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. object — a thing
  3. ball — a round shape
  4. straw — to clutch at straws
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. straw — a straw man
  7. foot — a measure
  8. patient — calm and waiting
  9. ball — a dance
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. charge — electricity
  12. fine — all right
  13. ball — a great time
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. charge — in control
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. object — an aim
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. fine — high quality
  20. straw — dry grass
  21. charge — a price
  22. object — to protest
  23. patient — a sick person
  24. ruler — for measuring

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