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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
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: mouse · foot · stand · spring · chip · race · can · bass

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  5. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  12. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  13. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  16. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  17. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  18. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. race — the arms race
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. chip — to eat
  5. spring — a coil
  6. stand — to bear
  7. bass — low music
  8. bass — the fish
  9. can — a tin
  10. can — a tin
  11. foot — the bottom
  12. spring — the season
  13. race — humankind
  14. can — to be able to
  15. mouse — for a computer
  16. spring — of water
  17. chip — in a computer
  18. bass — the instrument
  19. foot — a measure
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. chip — for betting
  23. race — a contest
  24. stand — on your feet

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