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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: bulb · nail · stock · bound · charge · leaves · plane · cabinet

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. leaves — of a tree
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. bound — obliged
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. bound — certain
  9. charge — a price
  10. bulb — for light
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. nail — on a finger
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. charge — electricity
  15. stock — goods
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. charge — in control
  18. bulb — for light
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. plane — a tool
  21. stock — shares
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. bound — tied together

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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