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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. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  2. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. Did you ________________ the button?
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  13. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  16. We're on a ________________ here.
  17. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  24. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — a tight spot
  2. roll — a list
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. wave — with your hand
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. press — to push
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. current — electric
  12. wave — a sudden rise
  13. press — newspapers
  14. plane — a tool
  15. wave — of the sea
  16. roll — on a roll
  17. craft — a handicraft
  18. current — happening now
  19. press — a publisher
  20. current — of water
  21. craft — boats
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. craft — a skill
  24. roll — a cake

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