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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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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: pass · wax · ruler · pitch · deal · bulb · last · cue

  1. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  2. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. False peace will not ________________.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  16. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  17. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. last — finally
  2. last — final
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. last — to go on
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. pass — a permit
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. pitch — a sports field
  9. wax — to grow
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. cue — for pool
  13. wax — for sculpting
  14. deal — to handle
  15. pitch — completely
  16. cue — a signal
  17. cue — a hint
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. bulb — for light
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. pitch — a sales talk
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. wax — in the ear
  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