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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. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. pit — in a race
  3. suit — in cards
  4. bulb — for light
  5. wake — before a funeral
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. wax — to grow
  8. key — for a lock
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. wax — for sculpting
  11. suit — to fit
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. key — the most important part
  14. suit — clothes
  15. wake — to stop sleeping
  16. track — a song
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. track — a path
  20. pit — a hole
  21. track — to keep track
  22. bulb — for light
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. wake — a trail

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