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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 · track · dip · bulb · fine · rock · row · cue

  1. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  2. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  8. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  19. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  23. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lean — thin
  2. dip — to sink
  3. bulb — for light
  4. track — a song
  5. row — a line
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. lean — to bend
  8. lean — to rest against
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. track — a path
  11. rock — a stone
  12. fine — high quality
  13. cue — for pool
  14. bulb — for light
  15. row — a quarrel
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. cue — a hint
  18. row — to paddle
  19. track — to keep track
  20. cue — a signal
  21. rock — music
  22. fine — a penalty
  23. dip — a sauce
  24. fine — all right

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