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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. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  6. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. bank — of a river
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. lean — to bend
  6. march — music
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. deal — to handle
  9. rash — hasty
  10. march — the month
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. march — the month
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. bulb — for light
  18. lean — to rest against
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. lean — thin
  21. bank — for money
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. rash — a series
  24. bank — for money

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