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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.

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: wax · cue · lie · board · march · stand · chip · bulb

  1. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. I can't ________________ this cold.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  10. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  11. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  18. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. chip — for betting
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. stand — to bear
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. cue — a signal
  8. bulb — for light
  9. march — the month
  10. cue — for pool
  11. wax — to grow
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. march — the month
  15. bulb — for light
  16. board — to get on
  17. stand — for spectators
  18. chip — to eat
  19. board — a committee
  20. board — a flat piece
  21. cue — a hint
  22. march — music
  23. wax — in the ear
  24. lie — to recline

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