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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
468
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: bulb · calf · object · season · bass · plane · key · mug

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. Did you ________________ the meat?
  7. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  11. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. bass — the fish
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. key — in music
  5. season — in sport
  6. season — to add flavour
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. object — to protest
  9. mug — a cup
  10. season — of the year
  11. calf — a young animal
  12. bass — low music
  13. bulb — for light
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. mug — to rob
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. object — a thing
  18. plane — a tool
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. key — the most important part
  21. bulb — for light
  22. mug — a face
  23. key — for a lock
  24. object — an aim

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