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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. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  15. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  16. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. The ________________ took off on time.
  23. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  24. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. mine — for digging
  4. suit — in cards
  5. suit — to fit
  6. mine — an explosive
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. bulb — for light
  9. suit — clothes
  10. bulb — for light
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. field — farmland
  15. mine — belonging to me
  16. field — for sport
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. plane — a tool
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. lie — to recline
  22. plane — an aircraft
  23. lie — an untruth
  24. field — a subject

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