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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  6. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  9. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  10. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  13. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  14. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. I've got to change the light ________________.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. rush — hurry
  4. cue — for pool
  5. bass — the instrument
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. cue — a signal
  8. patient — calm and waiting
  9. cue — a hint
  10. net — for catching
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. bay — a part of the sea
  13. net — in sport
  14. bass — the fish
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. patient — a sick person
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. bulb — for light
  19. bass — low music
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. bulb — for light
  22. net — after costs
  23. plane — a tool
  24. bay — a horse colour

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