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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 120 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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  11. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  12. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. rock — a stone
  3. fall — to drop
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. rock — music
  6. bulb — for light
  7. board — to get on
  8. firm — decided
  9. bulb — for light
  10. craft — a handicraft
  11. fall — the season
  12. firm — a company
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. craft — a skill
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. craft — boats
  17. pit — a hole
  18. ball — a dance
  19. firm — steady
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. board — a committee
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. fall — to drop
  24. ball — a great time

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