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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: fine · bulb · can · leaves · content · key · wake · mouse

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  11. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. key — in music
  3. bulb — of a plant
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. content — happy
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. key — for a lock
  9. can — a tin
  10. content — videos and posts
  11. wake — a trail
  12. bulb — for light
  13. leaves — lets stay
  14. fine — high quality
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. can — a tin
  17. can — to be able to
  18. wake — to stop sleeping
  19. key — the most important part
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. fine — all right
  22. content — the amount
  23. bulb — for light
  24. wake — before a funeral

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