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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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  5. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. The light ________________ burned out.
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  16. He works in a ________________ mill.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. wave — of the sea
  5. snap — to snap out of it
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. wave — a sudden rise
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. bulb — for light
  12. bore — to drill
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. bore — to tire
  15. snap — to speak sharply
  16. saw — the tool
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. plane — a tool
  19. snap — to click
  20. saw — the tool
  21. cue — a hint
  22. cue — for pool
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. cue — a signal

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