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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 120 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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  8. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  13. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  16. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  24. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — a sudden rise
  2. plane — a tool
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. wave — of the sea
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. wave — with your hand
  8. bound — tied together
  9. stock — shares
  10. stock — goods
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. bark — a dog's sound
  13. squash — the sport
  14. bound — certain
  15. bark — to shout
  16. bound — obliged
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. squash — to crush
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. squash — the vegetable
  24. bark — of a tree

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