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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 works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. The ________________ went through the wall.
  17. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. bulb — for light
  4. mug — a face
  5. bass — the fish
  6. rock — a stone
  7. mug — a cup
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. mug — to rob
  10. bass — low music
  11. bulb — for light
  12. deal — to handle
  13. stem — of a plant
  14. firm — decided
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. bass — the instrument
  18. rock — music
  19. stem — to come from
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. nail — on a finger
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. firm — steady

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