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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  19. He works in a ________________ mill.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. bulb — for light
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. deal — to handle
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. rock — music
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. band — a rubber band
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. rock — a stone
  17. bulb — for light
  18. band — a ring
  19. saw — the tool
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. band — a music group
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. saw — the tool
  24. bulb — of a plant

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