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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.

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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: fine · lash · bound · stand · foot · track · pit · arm

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  7. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  8. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  22. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. arm — a part of something
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. fine — high quality
  5. foot — a measure
  6. pit — a fruit stone
  7. bound — obliged
  8. stand — for spectators
  9. track — a path
  10. track — to keep track
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. fine — all right
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. stand — to bear
  19. pit — in a race
  20. bound — certain
  21. pit — a hole
  22. lash — to lash out
  23. bound — tied together
  24. track — a song

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