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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 120 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. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  5. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  20. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. march — music
  3. key — the most important part
  4. rest — what's left
  5. mark — a trace
  6. key — for a lock
  7. march — the month
  8. charge — in control
  9. bulb — for light
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. bulb — for light
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. key — in music
  15. lie — to recline
  16. charge — a price
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. rest — what's left
  19. march — the month
  20. rest — a break
  21. charge — electricity
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. mark — a grade

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