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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 want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — a container
  2. suit — clothes
  3. bass — low music
  4. bass — the fish
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. bulb — for light
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. charge — in control
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. charge — electricity
  16. tube — the underground
  17. toast — bread
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. suit — in cards
  20. charge — a price
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. bulb — for light
  23. suit — to fit
  24. toast — a drink to someone

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