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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. I've got to change the light ________________.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. can — to be able to
  3. lash — a whip stroke
  4. lash — to lash out
  5. mug — a cup
  6. bulb — for light
  7. saw — the tool
  8. mug — to rob
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. can — a tin
  13. bore — gave birth
  14. suit — in cards
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. suit — to fit
  17. saw — the tool
  18. suit — clothes
  19. bore — to tire
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. bore — to drill
  22. mug — a face
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. can — a tin

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