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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. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  3. He is an ace ________________.
  4. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  5. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  12. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  19. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  20. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. bowl — a dish
  3. pitcher — in baseball
  4. rest — what's left
  5. nail — on a finger
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. charge — in control
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bulb — for light
  11. rest — what's left
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. charge — a price
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. charge — electricity
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. bowl — a football final
  19. rest — a break
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. stand — to bear
  24. nail — for a hammer

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