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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. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Where did you ________________ them?
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  8. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  15. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  16. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  17. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  18. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  19. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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. lash — an eyelash
  4. mug — to rob
  5. cap — a lid
  6. board — to get on
  7. board — a flat piece
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. mug — a cup
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. lash — to lash out
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. fork — to eat with
  15. fork — in a road
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. cap — a hat
  18. fork — a garden tool
  19. cap — of ice
  20. bulb — for light
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. board — a committee
  24. mug — a face

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