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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. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  2. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  3. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  4. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. dip — a sauce
  2. object — to protest
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. perch — the fish
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. plane — a tool
  9. current — electric
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. current — happening now
  15. dip — to sink
  16. current — of water
  17. object — a thing
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. object — an aim

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