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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. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  8. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  20. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  21. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. can — a tin
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. toast — bread
  7. racket — for tennis
  8. racket — a loud noise
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. pass — a permit
  14. can — to be able to
  15. can — a tin
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. bulb — for light
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. racket — for tennis
  20. patient — calm and waiting
  21. patient — a sick person
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. calf — of the leg

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