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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: current · arm · bay · lean · mug · ball · present · bowl

  1. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  5. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. The King held a masked ________________.
  12. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  13. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  21. My father caught me by the ________________.
  22. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. He is as ________________ as a wolf.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. mug — a cup
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. lean — to bend
  5. present — the time now
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. present — a gift
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. present — there
  10. ball — a great time
  11. ball — a dance
  12. lean — to rest against
  13. bowl — a dish
  14. mug — to rob
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. current — of water
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. current — electric
  20. arm — a part of something
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. current — happening now
  24. lean — thin

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