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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. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  10. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. file — a tool
  6. bulb — for light
  7. key — the most important part
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. squash — to crush
  10. file — a document
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. bulb — for light
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. squash — the vegetable
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. file — a line of people
  17. squash — the sport
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. key — for a lock
  20. key — in music
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. nail — for a hammer

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