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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. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  10. This piece is in a major ________________.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  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. bulb — for light
  2. calf — a young animal
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. key — for a lock
  5. craft — a handicraft
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. can — a tin
  9. craft — a skill
  10. key — in music
  11. object — a thing
  12. can — to be able to
  13. key — the most important part
  14. chip — to eat
  15. chip — for betting
  16. object — to protest
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. calf — a young animal
  19. can — a tin
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. craft — boats
  23. bulb — for light
  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