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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.

Make a worksheet

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: net · rash · snap · cue · can · temple · foot · leaves

  1. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  9. When was this ________________ built?
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  14. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  15. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  24. I have a corn on my right ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. foot — a measure
  3. cue — a hint
  4. snap — to speak sharply
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. snap — to snap out of it
  7. can — to be able to
  8. net — in sport
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. rash — on the skin
  12. can — a tin
  13. cue — a signal
  14. snap — to click
  15. net — for catching
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. can — a tin
  19. rash — hasty
  20. cue — for pool
  21. leaves — of a tree
  22. rash — a series
  23. net — after costs
  24. foot — 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