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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  6. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. race — the arms race
  3. mate — a friend
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. pit — in a race
  6. race — a contest
  7. bulb — for light
  8. mate — to breed
  9. key — for a lock
  10. can — to be able to
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. key — the most important part
  13. race — humankind
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. key — in music
  16. can — a tin
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. mate — a partner
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. bulb — for light
  21. pit — a hole
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. nail — for a hammer

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