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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 moon will ________________ and wane.
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  8. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  21. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

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

Answer key

  1. wax — to grow
  2. toast — bread
  3. hand — part of the body
  4. bulb — for light
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. patient — calm and waiting
  9. bulb — for light
  10. suit — clothes
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. suit — to fit
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. hand — help
  19. suit — in cards
  20. wax — in the ear
  21. hand — in cards
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. wax — for sculpting
  24. arm — part of the body

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