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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. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. We're almost out of ________________.
  7. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. You don't need to ________________ round.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. trunk — of a tree
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. rock — a stone
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. pop — soda
  7. trunk — of a car
  8. toast — bread
  9. mug — a cup
  10. trunk — of an elephant
  11. scale — in music
  12. bulb — for light
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. object — to protest
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. scale — size or range
  17. bulb — for light
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. mug — to rob
  20. pop — to visit
  21. rock — music
  22. object — a thing
  23. mug — a face
  24. pop — music

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