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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: last · staff · dip · bear · foot · charge · fork · suit

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  6. False peace will not ________________.
  7. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. staff — employees
  3. suit — clothes
  4. charge — in control
  5. fork — in a road
  6. last — to go on
  7. last — finally
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. suit — in cards
  10. bear — the animal
  11. bear — the animal
  12. charge — a price
  13. charge — electricity
  14. dip — a sauce
  15. dip — to sink
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. fork — to eat with
  19. staff — a stick
  20. staff — employees
  21. last — final
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. suit — to fit
  24. fork — a garden tool

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