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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 120 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.

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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: can · suit · cabinet · arm · bore · track · coach · foot

  1. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. track — to keep track
  4. suit — in cards
  5. foot — a measure
  6. bore — to drill
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. coach — pulled by horses
  9. suit — clothes
  10. can — a tin
  11. can — to be able to
  12. bore — to tire
  13. can — a tin
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. suit — to fit
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. track — a path
  24. arm — 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