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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. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  8. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  9. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  10. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. Where did you ________________ them?
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a face
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. craft — a skill
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. current — happening now
  10. craft — boats
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. craft — a handicraft
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. board — a committee
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. mug — a cup
  18. board — to get on
  19. current — electric
  20. mug — to rob
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. current — of water
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. plane — a tool

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