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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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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: can · foot · plane · bay · bulb · rash · bore · drill

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  4. My mare is ________________ in color.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. The light ________________ burned out.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  13. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  14. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  15. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. Don't do anything ________________.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. can — a tin
  3. drill — a practice
  4. bay — a horse colour
  5. drill — army training
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. bulb — for light
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. bore — to drill
  11. bulb — for light
  12. drill — the tool
  13. rash — on the skin
  14. bore — to tire
  15. foot — part of the body
  16. can — a tin
  17. can — to be able to
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. rash — a series
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. bay — to keep at bay
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. rash — hasty
  24. foot — a measure

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