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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 belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  2. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  8. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. club — a group
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. current — happening now
  4. bulb — for light
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. deal — to handle
  7. leaves — to go away
  8. club — for golf
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. club — for dancing
  12. bulb — for light
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. current — of water
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. current — electric
  19. lie — to recline
  20. mouse — for a computer
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. deal — a big deal

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