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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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  5. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  8. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  16. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. The light ________________ burned out.
  23. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  24. She had a strange look on her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. plane — a tool
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. safe — a strongbox
  5. kick — with a leg
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. fall — to drop
  8. kick — in football
  9. fine — high quality
  10. bulb — for light
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. face — to confront
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. kick — a thrill
  16. fall — to drop
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. fine — all right
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. face — to point toward
  21. mark — a grade
  22. bulb — for light
  23. fall — the season
  24. face — part of the head

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