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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 am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. He was locked up in a ________________.
  3. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. What do you think of the new ________________?
  6. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  14. The ________________ went through the wall.
  15. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  16. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  17. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  21. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. cell — in a prison
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. bowl — a dish
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. plane — a tool
  13. cell — a phone
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. wave — of the sea
  16. cell — in biology
  17. cue — a signal
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. cue — a hint
  21. wave — with your hand
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. cue — for pool
  24. nail — on a finger

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