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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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  21. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  22. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  23. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  24. The elephant has a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. firm — a company
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. bulb — for light
  7. cue — a hint
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. firm — steady
  11. trunk — of a tree
  12. bulb — for light
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. squash — to crush
  15. cue — a signal
  16. craft — a skill
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. squash — the sport
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. cue — for pool
  21. firm — decided
  22. squash — the vegetable
  23. craft — boats
  24. trunk — of an elephant

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