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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: bulb · plane · date · cabinet · roll · ruler · saw · pass

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  13. Have you settled on a ________________?
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  24. He works in a ________________ mill.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. roll — a list
  4. pass — a permit
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bulb — for light
  7. saw — past of 'see'
  8. saw — the tool
  9. date — the fruit
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. roll — a cake
  13. date — on the calendar
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. plane — a tool
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. plane — in geometry
  24. saw — the tool

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