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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  3. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  12. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  15. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. club — a group
  3. capital — money
  4. staff — employees
  5. suit — to fit
  6. club — for golf
  7. plane — a tool
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. staff — a stick
  11. capital — a city
  12. cabinet — ministers
  13. bulb — for light
  14. bulb — of a plant
  15. staff — employees
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. bulb — for light
  19. capital — a big letter
  20. suit — in cards
  21. suit — clothes
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. club — for dancing
  24. plane — an aircraft

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