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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: firm · lash · rash · row · rock · bound · foot · pitch

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  20. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. foot — a measure
  3. row — to paddle
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. bound — certain
  6. pitch — completely
  7. bound — tied together
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. rash — a series
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. bound — obliged
  12. firm — a company
  13. rash — hasty
  14. firm — decided
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. rock — music
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. row — a quarrel
  20. row — a line
  21. rock — a stone
  22. firm — steady
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. pitch — a sales talk

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