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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. I've got to change the light ________________.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. bulb — for light
  4. fine — high quality
  5. stock — goods
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. ball — a great time
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. ball — a dance
  14. wave — with your hand
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. rock — music
  17. wave — a sudden rise
  18. stock — shares
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. fine — all right
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. rock — a stone

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