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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. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  2. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  3. When are we going to ________________?
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  22. I'll be taking the ________________.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. hand — part of the body
  2. land — a country
  3. land — to come down
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. can — a tin
  7. bulb — for light
  8. can — to be able to
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. land — ground
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. bulb — for light
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. can — a tin
  16. hand — in cards
  17. season — of the year
  18. season — in sport
  19. tube — a container
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. hand — help
  22. tube — the underground
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. bay — to keep at bay

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