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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. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. I can't ________________ this cold.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. Have you settled on a ________________?
  19. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. date — the fruit
  2. bulb — for light
  3. suit — in cards
  4. key — in music
  5. bank — for money
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. key — for a lock
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. suit — to fit
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. stand — to bear
  17. bank — of a river
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. bank — for money
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. key — the most important part
  22. suit — clothes
  23. fan — to cool the air
  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