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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.

Words on the sheet
468
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: pass · ruler · foot · shower · craft · pop · bulb · rock

  1. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  2. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. We're almost out of ________________.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  23. You don't need to ________________ round.
  24. The people resisted their cruel ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — to wash
  2. craft — a handicraft
  3. pass — a permit
  4. pop — music
  5. pop — soda
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. shower — rain
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. bulb — for light
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. craft — a skill
  16. craft — boats
  17. foot — a measure
  18. rock — music
  19. rock — a stone
  20. bulb — for light
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. shower — a meteor shower
  23. pop — to visit
  24. ruler — a monarch

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