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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. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. She's very handy with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. key — in music
  7. spell — magic
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. plane — a tool
  10. foot — the bottom
  11. key — for a lock
  12. saw — the tool
  13. foot — a measure
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. wax — to grow
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. key — the most important part
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. spell — letters
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. spell — a short time
  22. wax — for sculpting
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. saw — the tool

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