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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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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: suit · plane · tube · bound · firm · deal · saw · content

  1. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  2. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  9. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. She's very handy with a ________________.
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  23. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. firm — a company
  2. saw — past of 'see'
  3. deal — to handle
  4. tube — a container
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. content — the amount
  7. plane — a tool
  8. bound — obliged
  9. content — videos and posts
  10. suit — clothes
  11. firm — decided
  12. suit — in cards
  13. bound — tied together
  14. bound — certain
  15. tube — the underground
  16. saw — the tool
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. suit — to fit
  20. saw — the tool
  21. firm — steady
  22. tube — in a tire
  23. content — happy
  24. deal — a big deal

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