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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. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  4. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  13. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  20. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  21. When are we going to ________________?
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. press — to push
  3. land — a country
  4. press — newspapers
  5. stand — to bear
  6. bulb — for light
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. plane — a tool
  9. bulb — for light
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. land — ground
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. press — a publisher
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. patient — calm and waiting
  20. bulb — of a plant
  21. land — to come down
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. stand — on your feet

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