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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: bass · rock · mark · cue · tube · deal · stick · bulb

  1. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  3. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  8. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  9. I've got to change the light ________________.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  17. I'll be taking the ________________.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  24. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. bass — low music
  3. cue — a hint
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. bulb — for light
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. tube — a container
  8. mark — a trace
  9. bulb — for light
  10. rock — music
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. cue — for pool
  14. rock — a stone
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. deal — to handle
  17. tube — the underground
  18. bass — the fish
  19. cue — a signal
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. mark — a grade
  23. deal — an agreement
  24. tube — in a tire

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