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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. Have you found your soul ________________?
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. dip — to dunk
  3. suit — in cards
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. can — a tin
  6. dip — to sink
  7. suit — clothes
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. perch — for a bird
  10. mate — a friend
  11. suit — to fit
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. perch — for a bird
  14. bulb — for light
  15. mate — to breed
  16. can — to be able to
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. mate — a partner
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. bulb — for light
  22. can — a tin
  23. perch — the fish
  24. plane — a tool

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