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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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. ________________ games are popular in Germany.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. board — a committee
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. bass — low music
  6. toast — bread
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. bulb — for light
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. bass — the fish
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. bulb — for light
  21. board — to get on
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. board — a flat piece

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