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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 120 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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: bulb · bound · ruler · wave · pit · pitcher · season · wax

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  21. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  22. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  23. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. pit — in a race
  3. bulb — for light
  4. pit — a hole
  5. wax — for sculpting
  6. season — in sport
  7. wave — with your hand
  8. bound — certain
  9. bound — tied together
  10. pit — a fruit stone
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. wax — to grow
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. bound — obliged
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. bulb — for light
  20. wave — of the sea
  21. wax — in the ear
  22. wave — a sudden rise
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. season — of the year

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