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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: pass · wax · hide · lash · bulb · foot · mug · can

  1. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  22. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. We have nothing to ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. mug — a face
  3. bulb — for light
  4. can — a tin
  5. wax — for sculpting
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. mug — to rob
  8. pass — a permit
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. lash — an eyelash
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. lash — to lash out
  15. mug — a cup
  16. can — to be able to
  17. foot — the bottom
  18. can — a tin
  19. hide — to keep secret
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. wax — to grow
  22. wax — in the ear
  23. bulb — for light
  24. hide — to keep secret

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