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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. I've got to change the light ________________.
  2. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. That was a fun ________________.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  11. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. When was this ________________ built?
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  21. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. game — a kind of play
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. game — a match
  6. deal — to handle
  7. bulb — for light
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. game — wild animals
  12. suit — in cards
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. temple — side of the head
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. suit — clothes
  20. bore — to drill
  21. perch — the fish
  22. bore — to tire
  23. suit — to fit
  24. deal — a big deal

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