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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 116 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. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  3. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  12. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. mouse — for a computer
  3. content — the amount
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. wave — a sudden rise
  6. ball — a dance
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. ball — a great time
  11. content — happy
  12. wave — of the sea
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. fine — all right
  15. content — videos and posts
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. plane — a tool
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. saw — the tool
  24. fine — high quality

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