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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. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. We're almost out of ________________.
  10. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  11. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. You don't need to ________________ round.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. plane — a tool
  3. pit — in a race
  4. pop — music
  5. net — after costs
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. pop — soda
  10. club — a group
  11. pit — a hole
  12. net — in sport
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. club — for golf
  15. key — in music
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. bulb — for light
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. pop — to visit
  20. bulb — for light
  21. net — for catching
  22. key — the most important part
  23. club — for dancing
  24. key — for a lock

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