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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
468
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 · bound · saw · mug · temple · bay · toast · plane

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  3. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  4. When was this ________________ built?
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. The light ________________ burned out.
  15. I've got to change the light ________________.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. He works in a ________________ mill.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. mug — a face
  3. bay — a part of the sea
  4. temple — a place of worship
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. bound — tied together
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. toast — the most admired
  11. bound — obliged
  12. bulb — of a plant
  13. mug — a cup
  14. bulb — for light
  15. bulb — for light
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. bound — certain
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. mug — to rob
  20. toast — bread
  21. saw — the tool
  22. saw — the tool
  23. toast — a drink to someone
  24. temple — side of the head

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