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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: coach · pop · mug · ruler · cap · foot · toast · saw

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. He works in a ________________ mill.
  4. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. Have you met the new head ________________?
  9. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. We're almost out of ________________.
  18. She's very handy with a ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. The polar ice ________________ is melting.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. saw — the tool
  4. foot — a measure
  5. pop — to visit
  6. mug — to rob
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. cap — a lid
  10. pop — music
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. mug — a cup
  13. toast — bread
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. cap — a hat
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. pop — soda
  18. saw — the tool
  19. mug — a face
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. cap — of ice

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