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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. It's one o'clock ________________.
  3. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  18. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. sharp — exactly
  3. cap — a lid
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. branch — a division
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. can — a tin
  9. cap — of ice
  10. bulb — for light
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. branch — of a tree
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. sharp — clever
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. sharp — with an edge
  18. branch — of a bank
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. cap — a hat
  21. can — a tin
  22. can — to be able to
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. ruler — for measuring

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