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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. We're almost out of ________________.
  16. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  17. You don't need to ________________ round.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. safe — a strongbox
  2. mug — a cup
  3. rash — a series
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. drill — army training
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. mug — to rob
  8. drill — the tool
  9. board — to get on
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. bulb — for light
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. rash — hasty
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. pop — soda
  16. drill — a practice
  17. pop — to visit
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. bulb — for light
  20. pop — music
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. board — a committee
  23. mug — a face
  24. fan — a supporter

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