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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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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. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  6. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  7. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  10. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  11. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  21. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  24. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. bulb — for light
  3. board — to get on
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. bowl — a dish
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. hide — animal skin
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. band — a rubber band
  11. net — after costs
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. net — for catching
  14. board — a committee
  15. band — a music group
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. net — in sport
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. bulb — for light
  20. bowl — to roll
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. band — a ring
  24. hide — to keep secret

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