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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  8. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  11. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. The ________________ market has crashed.
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. My mare is ________________ in color.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. plane — a tool
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. object — to protest
  5. rock — a stone
  6. object — a thing
  7. stock — goods
  8. spring — the season
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. spring — a coil
  11. stock — a soup base
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. mate — a friend
  14. object — an aim
  15. stock — shares
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. bay — a horse colour
  21. mate — a partner
  22. mate — to breed
  23. rock — music
  24. spring — of water

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