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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: bulb · can · hide · wax · board · mug · firm · fine

  1. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  6. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  7. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  16. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  17. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. board — a committee
  3. can — a tin
  4. bulb — for light
  5. hide — animal skin
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. mug — a face
  8. bulb — for light
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. can — to be able to
  11. firm — decided
  12. board — to get on
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. fine — all right
  15. wax — to grow
  16. fine — a penalty
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. mug — a cup
  19. can — a tin
  20. wax — for sculpting
  21. mug — to rob
  22. firm — a company
  23. fine — high quality
  24. wax — in the ear

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