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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 · club · pass · can · bay · mug · trunk · row

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  12. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  16. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. I had a ________________ with my boss today.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. club — a group
  4. can — a tin
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. club — for golf
  7. can — a tin
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. row — a line
  12. trunk — of an elephant
  13. foot — a measure
  14. can — to be able to
  15. trunk — of a tree
  16. club — for dancing
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. trunk — of a car
  19. mug — a face
  20. mug — to rob
  21. pass — a permit
  22. mug — a cup
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. row — a quarrel

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