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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. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  23. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  24. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. prune — the fruit
  2. current — happening now
  3. prune — to trim
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. bulb — for light
  6. dip — to sink
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. bulb — for light
  10. current — electric
  11. prune — to trim
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. dip — a sauce
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. content — the amount
  16. current — of water
  17. trunk — of an elephant
  18. cue — for pool
  19. cue — a hint
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. cue — a signal
  22. content — videos and posts
  23. content — happy
  24. cabinet — a cupboard

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