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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.

Make a worksheet

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: fan · bulb · mug · rock · present · bay · lean · perch

  1. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  20. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. perch — the fish
  3. rock — a stone
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. mug — a face
  6. lean — to bend
  7. mug — a cup
  8. bulb — for light
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. mug — to rob
  12. present — the time now
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. lean — thin
  19. present — there
  20. present — a gift
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. rock — music
  24. fan — a supporter

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