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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. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  3. I've got to change the light ________________.
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  6. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  12. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  17. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  18. That was ________________ to happen.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  23. Have you settled on a ________________?
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. ruler — for measuring
  3. bulb — for light
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. date — the fruit
  6. fan — to cool the air
  7. mug — to rob
  8. plane — a tool
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. mug — a cup
  11. ruler — a monarch
  12. pitch — completely
  13. bound — tied together
  14. bulb — for light
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. pitch — a sales talk
  18. bound — certain
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. mug — a face
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. bound — obliged
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. ruler — for measuring

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