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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. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  16. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  19. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  20. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  21. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  22. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. charge — in control
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. row — to paddle
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. squash — the sport
  7. deal — to handle
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. bulb — for light
  10. charge — electricity
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. fall — to drop
  16. row — a line
  17. charge — a price
  18. row — a quarrel
  19. fall — to drop
  20. arm — a part of something
  21. squash — to crush
  22. fall — the season
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. bulb — for light

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