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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  6. There's no middle ________________.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. cue — a hint
  3. deal — to handle
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. lash — to lash out
  6. ground — a position
  7. bulb — for light
  8. can — a tin
  9. cue — a signal
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. ground — crushed
  13. can — to be able to
  14. plane — a tool
  15. bulb — for light
  16. cue — for pool
  17. deal — a big deal
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. ground — the earth

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