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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. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  12. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — of the sea
  2. bulb — for light
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. wound — past of 'wind'
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. wave — with your hand
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. net — in sport
  9. suit — clothes
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. wound — an injury
  12. net — after costs
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. suit — to fit
  15. suit — in cards
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. wound — an injury
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. net — for catching
  20. mark — a grade
  21. wax — to grow
  22. wax — for sculpting
  23. mark — a trace
  24. bulb — for light

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