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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  4. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  5. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  6. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. cue — a signal
  3. stand — on your feet
  4. wax — to grow
  5. wax — for sculpting
  6. wax — in the ear
  7. object — a thing
  8. bulb — for light
  9. cue — for pool
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. stand — for spectators
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. bulb — for light
  14. object — an aim
  15. dip — to sink
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. dip — to dunk
  18. charge — electricity
  19. cue — a hint
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. charge — a price
  22. stand — to bear
  23. object — to protest
  24. dip — a sauce

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