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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. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. He is an ace ________________.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  24. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — to put up with
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. bear — the animal
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. suit — clothes
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. suit — in cards
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. suit — to fit
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. pitcher — in baseball
  17. bulb — for light
  18. pitch — a sports field
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. bulb — for light
  23. pitch — completely
  24. bear — the animal

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