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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  14. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. deal — an agreement
  3. deal — to handle
  4. patient — a sick person
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. patient — calm and waiting
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. wax — to grow
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. wax — in the ear
  14. plane — in geometry
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. plane — a tool
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. fan — a supporter

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