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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: tube · ruler · bulb · nail · bore · plane · stock · toast

  1. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  14. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  18. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — of a plant
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. tube — in a tire
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. toast — bread
  6. bore — to tire
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. bulb — for light
  9. stock — goods
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. ruler — for measuring
  14. stock — a soup base
  15. plane — a tool
  16. stock — shares
  17. tube — a container
  18. bore — gave birth
  19. tube — the underground
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. bulb — for light
  22. bore — to drill
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. plane — an aircraft

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