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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. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  11. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  12. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  21. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. The ________________ market has crashed.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. stock — a soup base
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. dip — to sink
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. dip — to dunk
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. hide — to keep secret
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. march — the month
  13. bulb — for light
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. key — the most important part
  17. ruler — a monarch
  18. stock — goods
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. march — the month
  21. march — music
  22. key — for a lock
  23. stock — shares
  24. key — in music

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