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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 120 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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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: plane · arm · bulb · current · club · foot · spell · face

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  5. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  16. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  17. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  23. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  24. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. bulb — for light
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. spell — a short time
  5. foot — a measure
  6. bulb — for light
  7. current — happening now
  8. current — electric
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. face — to confront
  12. spell — letters
  13. bulb — of a plant
  14. current — of water
  15. face — part of the head
  16. club — a group
  17. arm — a part of something
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. face — to point toward
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. club — for dancing
  23. club — for golf
  24. spell — magic

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