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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.

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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 · prune · lean · bear · suit · cabinet · rash · bound

  1. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  4. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  7. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — tied together
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. bound — obliged
  4. lean — thin
  5. suit — in cards
  6. prune — the fruit
  7. prune — to trim
  8. bulb — for light
  9. rash — a series
  10. prune — to trim
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. bear — the animal
  13. suit — to fit
  14. suit — clothes
  15. rash — on the skin
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bound — certain
  18. rash — hasty
  19. bear — the animal
  20. lean — to bend
  21. bulb — for light
  22. bear — to put up with
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. lean — to rest against

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