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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. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  19. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  20. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  21. That was ________________ to happen.
  22. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. current — happening now
  3. plane — a tool
  4. scale — size or range
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. current — electric
  7. scale — in music
  8. current — of water
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. bound — tied together
  12. rock — music
  13. rock — a stone
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. leaves — of a tree
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. bound — obliged
  19. lash — to lash out
  20. rash — a series
  21. bound — certain
  22. lash — a whip stroke
  23. rash — hasty
  24. scale — for weighing

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