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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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. Did you ________________ the meat?
  8. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. The light ________________ burned out.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  18. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  22. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. rock — music
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. suit — in cards
  6. suit — clothes
  7. season — to add flavour
  8. prune — to trim
  9. board — a committee
  10. rock — a stone
  11. board — to get on
  12. season — of the year
  13. bulb — for light
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. prune — the fruit
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. bulb — for light
  20. plane — a tool
  21. board — a flat piece
  22. prune — to trim
  23. season — in sport
  24. suit — to fit

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