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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. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. David sat on the ________________.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  16. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  22. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — the vegetable
  2. bulb — for light
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. mark — a grade
  5. suit — in cards
  6. suit — to fit
  7. mark — a trace
  8. toast — bread
  9. can — a tin
  10. swing — to play on
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. can — a tin
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. swing — in golf
  16. squash — the sport
  17. can — to be able to
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. bulb — for light
  20. suit — clothes
  21. swing — music
  22. squash — to crush
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. toast — the most admired

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