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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: calf · bulb · key · wound · plane · stand · pound · toast

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  3. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. The ________________ took off on time.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  20. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. wound — an injury
  3. wound — past of 'wind'
  4. bulb — for light
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. wound — an injury
  7. plane — a tool
  8. pound — for dogs
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. bulb — for light
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. plane — an aircraft
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. stand — to bear
  15. key — in music
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. key — the most important part
  19. pound — a weight
  20. pound — to hit hard
  21. key — for a lock
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. toast — bread
  24. calf — a young animal

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