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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 museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. My mare is ________________ in color.
  5. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  19. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. wax — for sculpting
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. bulb — for light
  4. bay — a horse colour
  5. wax — to grow
  6. bulb — for light
  7. wax — in the ear
  8. mug — a cup
  9. suit — to fit
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. suit — clothes
  14. bank — of a river
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. pit — in a race
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. bank — for money
  19. pit — a hole
  20. bank — for money
  21. suit — in cards
  22. mug — a face
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. mug — to rob

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