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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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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: track · deal · wind · rock · foot · press · suit · bulb

  1. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  9. Did you ________________ the button?
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. press — newspapers
  3. suit — to fit
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. wind — moving air
  6. foot — a measure
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. rock — to move gently
  9. press — to push
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. track — a path
  12. track — to keep track
  13. bulb — for light
  14. track — a song
  15. press — a publisher
  16. rock — a stone
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. wind — moving air
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. deal — to handle
  21. rock — music
  22. suit — in cards
  23. wind — to turn a key
  24. suit — clothes

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