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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: key · object · snap · bulb · jam · face · toast · stem

  1. The light ________________ burned out.
  2. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  20. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. snap — to snap out of it
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. stem — to come from
  6. key — the most important part
  7. face — to point toward
  8. face — part of the head
  9. key — for a lock
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. stem — of a plant
  12. object — to protest
  13. toast — bread
  14. key — in music
  15. object — a thing
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. snap — to speak sharply
  20. jam — in traffic
  21. face — to confront
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. object — an aim
  24. snap — to click

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