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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 116 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: rash · wave · bass · bay · wake · scale · plane · leaves

  1. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  12. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  20. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — a trail
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. bass — low music
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. wave — with your hand
  12. bass — the fish
  13. rash — hasty
  14. wake — before a funeral
  15. plane — a tool
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. scale — in music
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. wake — to stop sleeping
  20. rash — a series
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. scale — size or range
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. scale — for weighing

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