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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 fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  8. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  9. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  10. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the fish
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. bulb — for light
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. face — to confront
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. face — part of the head
  8. bass — low music
  9. face — to point toward
  10. tube — a container
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. calf — of the leg
  13. pass — a permit
  14. tube — the underground
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. suit — to fit
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. tube — in a tire
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. bass — the instrument
  21. suit — in cards
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. suit — clothes
  24. bulb — for light

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