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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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  14. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  15. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  16. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  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 — a measure
  2. cap — of ice
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. can — to be able to
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. wax — in the ear
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. board — to get on
  9. bulb — for light
  10. can — a tin
  11. patient — calm and waiting
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. cap — a lid
  14. patient — a sick person
  15. cap — a hat
  16. wax — for sculpting
  17. bulb — for light
  18. foot — the bottom
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. can — a tin
  21. board — a committee
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. foot — part of the body
  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