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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 120 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 carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  4. Have you found your soul ________________?
  5. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. can — a tin
  3. board — to get on
  4. mate — a partner
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. current — happening now
  7. current — of water
  8. mate — to breed
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. can — a tin
  11. racket — a loud noise
  12. bulb — for light
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. board — a committee
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. current — electric
  18. pass — a permit
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. can — to be able to
  21. bulb — for light
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. mate — a friend
  24. racket — for tennis

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