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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've got to change the light ________________.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. My mare is ________________ in color.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  18. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  19. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. bore — to tire
  5. bay — a horse colour
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. bore — to drill
  8. charge — a price
  9. bulb — for light
  10. charge — electricity
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. charge — in control
  13. club — for golf
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. press — newspapers
  19. club — a group
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. press — to push
  22. club — for dancing
  23. press — a publisher
  24. bulb — of a plant

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