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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 116 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. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  5. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  11. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. current — happening now
  3. cue — a signal
  4. craft — a handicraft
  5. bear — to put up with
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. craft — a skill
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. bear — the animal
  11. bulb — of a plant
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. cue — a hint
  14. cue — for pool
  15. current — electric
  16. craft — boats
  17. bulb — for light
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. plane — a tool
  21. bulb — for light
  22. rush — hurry
  23. current — of water
  24. plane — an aircraft

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