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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. My mare is ________________ in color.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a horse colour
  2. bulb — for light
  3. lean — thin
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. cue — a signal
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. lean — to bend
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. current — electric
  10. current — of water
  11. cue — for pool
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. suit — in cards
  15. bulb — for light
  16. foot — part of the body
  17. current — happening now
  18. cue — a hint
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. foot — a measure
  22. suit — to fit
  23. suit — clothes
  24. safe — a strongbox

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