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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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  3. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  4. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  5. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  23. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. tube — in a tire
  3. wave — with your hand
  4. fan — to cool the air
  5. bore — to drill
  6. suit — clothes
  7. tube — a container
  8. wave — of the sea
  9. mug — a cup
  10. bulb — for light
  11. track — to keep track
  12. suit — to fit
  13. track — a song
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. bulb — for light
  16. tube — the underground
  17. fan — a supporter
  18. mug — to rob
  19. wave — a sudden rise
  20. bore — to tire
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. bore — gave birth
  23. track — a path
  24. suit — in cards

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