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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. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  18. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. mark — a trace
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. bore — to drill
  6. bulb — for light
  7. mark — a grade
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. can — a tin
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. face — part of the head
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. bore — to tire
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. track — a path
  16. can — a tin
  17. track — to keep track
  18. face — to confront
  19. can — to be able to
  20. board — a committee
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. face — to point toward
  23. board — to get on
  24. track — a song

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