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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 120 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: staff · temple · bulb · trunk · bear · deal · cabinet · cue

  1. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  3. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  13. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  17. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  18. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. When was this ________________ built?
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. cabinet — a cupboard
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. deal — to handle
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bear — the animal
  8. staff — employees
  9. staff — a stick
  10. deal — a big deal
  11. cue — a signal
  12. staff — employees
  13. trunk — of a tree
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. cue — a hint
  16. bear — the animal
  17. trunk — of a car
  18. trunk — of an elephant
  19. bulb — for light
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. cue — for pool

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