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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. How do you ________________ your surname?
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  13. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  14. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  15. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  16. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. spell — a short time
  3. plane — a tool
  4. bulb — for light
  5. charge — a price
  6. bound — obliged
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. spell — letters
  10. bore — to tire
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. bore — to drill
  13. spell — magic
  14. bore — gave birth
  15. fan — to cool the air
  16. mouse — the animal
  17. charge — in control
  18. bound — certain
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. bound — tied together
  21. charge — electricity
  22. bulb — for light
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. plane — an aircraft

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