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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: toast · pass · bank · bulb · can · fine · plane · arm

  1. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. My father caught me by the ________________.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. arm — part of the body
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. bank — for money
  4. bulb — for light
  5. pass — a permit
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bank — of a river
  8. can — a tin
  9. bank — for money
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. arm — a part of something
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. toast — bread
  14. arm — part of the body
  15. can — a tin
  16. plane — a tool
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. fine — high quality
  20. can — to be able to
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. toast — the most admired
  24. fine — all right

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