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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 120 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. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  9. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  10. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  11. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  14. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  15. How do you ________________ your surname?
  16. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. scale — size or range
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. bulb — for light
  5. mug — to rob
  6. pound — a weight
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. pound — for dogs
  9. pound — to hit hard
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. mug — a face
  13. calf — a young animal
  14. spell — magic
  15. spell — letters
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. scale — for weighing
  20. mug — a cup
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. bulb — for light
  23. scale — in music
  24. mouse — for a computer

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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