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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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. David sat on the ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. He works in a ________________ mill.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. She's very handy with a ________________.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  24. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. swing — to play on
  4. suit — in cards
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. foot — part of the body
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. firm — steady
  9. firm — a company
  10. bound — obliged
  11. saw — the tool
  12. suit — clothes
  13. suit — to fit
  14. firm — decided
  15. foot — a measure
  16. bulb — for light
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. saw — the tool
  19. bound — tied together
  20. bound — certain
  21. foot — the bottom
  22. bulb — for light
  23. swing — in golf
  24. swing — music

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