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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. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  2. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  3. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  12. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  13. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  14. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. prune — to trim
  3. content — the amount
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. bulb — for light
  6. ball — a dance
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. cue — a signal
  10. cue — for pool
  11. prune — to trim
  12. prune — the fruit
  13. bowl — a football final
  14. bowl — a dish
  15. ball — a great time
  16. content — videos and posts
  17. bank — for money
  18. content — happy
  19. bulb — for light
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. cue — a hint
  23. bank — of a river
  24. bank — for money

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