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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. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  13. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. plane — a tool
  3. jam — a tight spot
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. can — a tin
  6. can — to be able to
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. wax — in the ear
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. deal — an agreement
  13. mouse — the animal
  14. deal — to handle
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. pass — a permit
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. wax — to grow
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. can — a tin
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. wax — for sculpting

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