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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. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. The ________________ went through the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. plane — a tool
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. ball — a great time
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. lie — to recline
  8. suit — clothes
  9. ball — a dance
  10. nail — on a finger
  11. suit — in cards
  12. bulb — for light
  13. suit — to fit
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. ball — a round shape
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. sharp — with an edge
  22. sharp — clever
  23. bulb — for light
  24. nail — for a hammer

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