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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: bank · bulb · mark · key · suit · cabinet · bay · bear

  1. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. suit — to fit
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. mark — a trace
  5. suit — in cards
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bank — for money
  8. mark — a grade
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. bear — the animal
  11. key — for a lock
  12. bay — to keep at bay
  13. suit — clothes
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. key — the most important part
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. bank — for money
  21. key — in music
  22. bank — of a river
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. bear — the animal

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