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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.

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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. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Have you settled on a ________________?
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. mark — a trace
  3. safe — a strongbox
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. date — the fruit
  6. bulb — for light
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. wax — to grow
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. key — in music
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. key — the most important part
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. bulb — for light
  19. key — for a lock
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. pitcher — a jug
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. date — on the calendar

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