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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. The light ________________ burned out.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. pit — a hole
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. bulb — for light
  6. can — to be able to
  7. current — of water
  8. charge — a price
  9. plane — a tool
  10. can — a tin
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. current — electric
  13. charge — electricity
  14. current — happening now
  15. pit — a fruit stone
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. bulb — for light
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. can — a tin
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. charge — in control
  23. coach — pulled by horses
  24. coach — a trainer

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