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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've got to change the light ________________.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. Did you ________________ the button?
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  15. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  16. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. press — newspapers
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. tube — the underground
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. wake — a trail
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. press — to push
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. tube — in a tire
  15. pitch — a sales talk
  16. pitch — completely
  17. tube — a container
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. wake — before a funeral
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. bulb — for light
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. press — a publisher
  24. wake — to stop sleeping

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