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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 120 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. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. drill — army training
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. bound — tied together
  6. drill — the tool
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. board — to get on
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. mark — a trace
  12. bound — obliged
  13. bulb — for light
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. bound — certain
  18. board — a committee
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. drill — a practice
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. mark — a grade
  23. bulb — for light
  24. lash — an eyelash

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