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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 cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  5. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — to trim
  2. rock — a stone
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. prune — the fruit
  5. track — a path
  6. rock — music
  7. firm — decided
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. bank — of a river
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. firm — a company
  12. track — to keep track
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. prune — to trim
  15. firm — steady
  16. bank — for money
  17. track — a song
  18. bank — for money
  19. bulb — for light
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. bulb — for light
  24. toast — bread

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