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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. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  6. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Have you met the new head ________________?
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. The light ________________ burned out.

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

Answer key

  1. bound — obliged
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. can — a tin
  4. bound — certain
  5. bound — tied together
  6. coach — pulled by horses
  7. rush — hurry
  8. bank — of a river
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. face — to confront
  11. can — to be able to
  12. face — to point toward
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. bank — for money
  15. can — a tin
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. plane — a tool
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. face — part of the head
  22. bank — for money
  23. bulb — for light
  24. bulb — for light

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