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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. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  3. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. That was ________________ to happen.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. bound — tied together
  3. foot — part of the body
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. bound — certain
  7. suit — clothes
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. chair — a professorship
  10. foot — a measure
  11. dip — a sauce
  12. dip — to sink
  13. ball — a great time
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. suit — in cards
  16. ball — a dance
  17. bound — obliged
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. bulb — for light
  20. dip — to dunk
  21. suit — to fit
  22. chair — to sit on
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. chair — a leader

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