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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. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  5. I've got to change the light ________________.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  11. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  14. That was a fun ________________.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  20. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  24. He has no idea where the ________________ is.

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

Answer key

  1. stock — a soup base
  2. plane — a tool
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. foot — part of the body
  5. bulb — for light
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. bulb — for light
  9. stock — shares
  10. foot — a measure
  11. stock — goods
  12. suit — to fit
  13. game — a kind of play
  14. game — a match
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. mark — a grade
  17. mark — a trace
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. bulb — of a plant
  20. game — wild animals
  21. suit — clothes
  22. suit — in cards
  23. foot — the bottom
  24. safe — a strongbox

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