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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: wave · cabinet · hand · rash · jam · plane · can · wax

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  7. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  8. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. Don't do anything ________________.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  16. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. rash — a series
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. wax — to grow
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. hand — in cards
  7. hand — help
  8. rash — on the skin
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. rash — hasty
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. wax — in the ear
  16. plane — in geometry
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. hand — part of the body
  19. can — a tin
  20. can — a tin
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. can — to be able to
  23. jam — to spread on bread
  24. plane — a tool

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