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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. That was ________________ to happen.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  15. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  21. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. bulb — for light
  3. bound — certain
  4. plane — a tool
  5. shower — rain
  6. cue — for pool
  7. mark — a trace
  8. rock — a stone
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. cue — a signal
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. bound — obliged
  15. shower — a meteor shower
  16. rock — music
  17. mark — a grade
  18. bulb — for light
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. bound — tied together
  21. shower — to wash
  22. cue — a hint
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. mark — to pay attention

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