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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 116 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. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  13. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. prune — to trim
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. firm — a company
  5. prune — to trim
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. coach — pulled by horses
  8. bore — to drill
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. lie — to recline
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. lie — an untruth
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. bore — gave birth
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. mark — a grade
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. bulb — for light
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. firm — steady
  22. bore — to tire
  23. mark — a trace
  24. firm — decided

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