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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.

Make a worksheet

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: bulb · rock · pit · cue · can · lash · press · fine

  1. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  5. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — a fruit stone
  2. rock — a stone
  3. press — a publisher
  4. cue — a signal
  5. press — newspapers
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. can — a tin
  8. bulb — for light
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. can — a tin
  11. rock — music
  12. fine — all right
  13. press — to push
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. bulb — for light
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. pit — a hole
  18. cue — for pool
  19. cue — a hint
  20. fine — high quality
  21. lash — an eyelash
  22. pit — in a race
  23. can — to be able to
  24. lash — a whip stroke

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