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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 116 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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  9. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  12. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  13. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. Did you ________________ the meat?
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. bulb — for light
  3. can — to be able to
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. can — a tin
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. prune — the fruit
  9. calf — of the leg
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. prune — to trim
  12. track — a path
  13. coach — pulled by horses
  14. bulb — for light
  15. season — to add flavour
  16. season — of the year
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. season — in sport
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. prune — to trim
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. track — a song
  23. track — to keep track
  24. calf — a young animal

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