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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. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. Have you settled on a ________________?
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  24. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. rock — a stone
  3. rock — music
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. rest — what's left
  7. rest — what's left
  8. bulb — for light
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. rest — a break
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. bulb — for light
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. date — the fruit
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. date — on the calendar
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. temple — side of the head
  24. date — on the calendar

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