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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. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  7. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. I'll be taking the ________________.
  21. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. object — to protest
  4. can — a tin
  5. suit — clothes
  6. clip — to cut
  7. tube — in a tire
  8. can — a tin
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. bulb — for light
  11. bulb — for light
  12. clip — for paper
  13. can — to be able to
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. suit — in cards
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. board — a committee
  18. suit — to fit
  19. tube — a container
  20. tube — the underground
  21. clip — a video
  22. board — to get on
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. object — an aim

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