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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. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. He works in a ________________ mill.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — past of 'see'
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. saw — the tool
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. bulb — for light
  9. rock — a stone
  10. fine — high quality
  11. wave — with your hand
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. bulb — for light
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. wave — a sudden rise
  16. fine — all right
  17. deal — to handle
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. saw — the tool
  20. rock — music
  21. deal — an agreement
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. deal — a big deal

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