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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. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. My mare is ________________ in color.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. What do you think of the new ________________?
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. bulb — for light
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. bass — the fish
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. bulb — for light
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. bay — a horse colour
  13. rush — hurry
  14. suit — to fit
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. suit — in cards
  18. bay — to keep at bay
  19. toast — bread
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. bass — low music
  24. rush — a thrill

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