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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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. bound — tied together
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. stand — to bear
  5. bulb — for light
  6. bound — certain
  7. board — to get on
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. cue — a signal
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. bound — obliged
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. wax — to grow
  15. rock — a stone
  16. bulb — for light
  17. cue — a hint
  18. board — a committee
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. rock — music
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. cue — for pool

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