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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: wave · cap · bulb · object · fan · toast · pass · ball

  1. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  8. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  13. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  14. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a great time
  2. bulb — for light
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. object — a thing
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. wave — a sudden rise
  8. cap — a lid
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. ball — a round shape
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. toast — bread
  13. object — an aim
  14. cap — of ice
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. cap — a hat
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. ball — a dance
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. bulb — for light
  23. pass — a permit
  24. object — to protest

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