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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. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. She's very handy with a ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. He works in a ________________ mill.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Have you settled on a ________________?
  18. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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. ball — a great time
  3. date — the fruit
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. date — on the calendar
  7. suit — in cards
  8. wax — in the ear
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. saw — the tool
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. ball — a dance
  15. saw — the tool
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. date — on the calendar
  18. wax — for sculpting
  19. suit — to fit
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. bulb — for light
  22. suit — clothes
  23. wax — to grow
  24. bulb — for light

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