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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: lean · calf · ruler · mouse · bass · bulb · stock · nail

  1. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  4. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  8. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  9. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. The ________________ went through the wall.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  18. The ________________ market has crashed.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. stock — goods
  4. lean — to bend
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. lean — to rest against
  8. bass — low music
  9. stock — a soup base
  10. bass — the fish
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. calf — a young animal
  18. stock — shares
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. mouse — the animal
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. lean — thin
  24. bulb — for light

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