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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 116 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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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 · bulb · scale · rush · sharp · dip · season · rock

  1. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. It's one o'clock ________________.
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. He's quite ________________, isn't he?

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to sink
  2. bulb — for light
  3. scale — size or range
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. rush — hurry
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. scale — for weighing
  9. season — of the year
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. scale — in music
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. rock — music
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. rock — a stone
  16. pass — a permit
  17. dip — a sauce
  18. bulb — for light
  19. sharp — exactly
  20. season — in sport
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. sharp — with an edge
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. sharp — clever

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