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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. There's no middle ________________.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. current — happening now
  4. prune — the fruit
  5. bound — tied together
  6. prune — to trim
  7. bass — low music
  8. foot — a measure
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. ground — the earth
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. bound — obliged
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. ground — crushed
  15. bulb — for light
  16. ground — a position
  17. bound — certain
  18. current — electric
  19. bass — the instrument
  20. current — of water
  21. rock — music
  22. bass — the fish
  23. prune — to trim
  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