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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.

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: can · toast · arm · row · wake · dip · bulb · leaves

  1. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  17. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  18. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — a sauce
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. arm — a part of something
  4. toast — bread
  5. wake — to stop sleeping
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. can — a tin
  8. bulb — for light
  9. row — to paddle
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. row — a quarrel
  13. dip — to sink
  14. bulb — for light
  15. can — a tin
  16. wake — before a funeral
  17. row — a line
  18. toast — a drink to someone
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. can — to be able to
  24. wake — a trail

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