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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. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  2. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  17. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — to dunk
  2. scale — in music
  3. plane — a tool
  4. can — a tin
  5. bound — tied together
  6. can — a tin
  7. suit — in cards
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. can — to be able to
  11. bound — certain
  12. suit — to fit
  13. fine — a penalty
  14. fine — high quality
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. pitcher — a jug
  17. dip — to sink
  18. fine — all right
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. suit — clothes
  23. bound — obliged
  24. scale — size or range

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