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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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  6. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  21. I can't ________________ this cold.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. pit — a fruit stone
  6. pit — in a race
  7. bulb — for light
  8. bulb — for light
  9. pit — a hole
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. bank — for money
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. bank — for money
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. bank — of a river
  21. stand — to bear
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. bass — low music
  24. bass — the fish

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