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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. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. The ________________ went through the wall.
  20. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. bulb — for light
  4. season — of the year
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. nail — on a finger
  9. rock — music
  10. rock — a stone
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. stick — to attach or keep to
  13. bulb — for light
  14. branch — a division
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. branch — of a bank
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. nail — for a hammer
  20. branch — of a tree
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. season — in sport

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