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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: coach · deal · current · dip · foot · bulb · board · bass

  1. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  6. Have you met the new head ________________?
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  9. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. dip — to sink
  4. bass — the fish
  5. dip — to dunk
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. board — to get on
  8. foot — part of the body
  9. bulb — of a plant
  10. current — of water
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bass — low music
  15. board — a committee
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. bulb — for light
  18. bass — the instrument
  19. deal — to handle
  20. current — electric
  21. dip — a sauce
  22. foot — a measure
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. foot — the bottom

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