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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. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  5. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. bass — the instrument
  3. wax — to grow
  4. lean — to bend
  5. object — a thing
  6. current — happening now
  7. lean — thin
  8. object — to protest
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. current — of water
  11. lean — to rest against
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. current — electric
  16. cue — for pool
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. bass — low music
  19. cue — a signal
  20. wax — in the ear
  21. bass — the fish
  22. cue — a hint
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. object — an aim

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