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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. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  12. The ________________ went through the wall.
  13. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  14. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. He works in a ________________ mill.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. squash — to crush
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. mark — a trace
  4. mouse — for a computer
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. plane — a tool
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. fine — high quality
  9. squash — the vegetable
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. squash — the sport
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. fine — all right
  14. mark — to pay attention
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bulb — for light
  18. saw — the tool
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. saw — the tool
  24. mark — a grade

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