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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 play ________________ in a jazz band.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  5. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  15. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  16. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the instrument
  2. pop — to visit
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. craft — a handicraft
  5. scale — in music
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. pop — music
  8. pop — soda
  9. craft — a skill
  10. trunk — of a tree
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. craft — boats
  13. mug — to rob
  14. scale — size or range
  15. trunk — of an elephant
  16. bass — low music
  17. mug — a face
  18. bass — the fish
  19. trunk — of a car
  20. mug — a cup
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. ruler — for measuring

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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