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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  9. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  24. The moon will ________________ and wane.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. pitch — completely
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. bulb — for light
  8. march — the month
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. charge — electricity
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. charge — a price
  13. march — the month
  14. bulb — for light
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. foot — a measure
  17. charge — in control
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. march — music
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. pitch — a sports field
  24. wax — to grow

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