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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. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. board — to get on
  3. mug — a face
  4. board — a committee
  5. field — a subject
  6. bound — certain
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. field — for sport
  9. mug — to rob
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. bound — obliged
  12. field — farmland
  13. can — a tin
  14. cue — for pool
  15. can — a tin
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. mug — a cup
  19. bound — tied together
  20. can — to be able to
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. cue — a signal
  23. bulb — for light
  24. cue — a hint

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