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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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  4. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  5. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  6. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  10. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  14. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. racket — a loud noise
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. club — for dancing
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. sharp — clever
  10. club — a group
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. bulb — for light
  13. club — for golf
  14. sharp — with an edge
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. jam — in traffic
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. bulb — for light

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