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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.

Make a worksheet

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: jam · temple · toast · leaves · bulb · plane · chair · ball

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  12. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. bulb — for light
  5. plane — a tool
  6. ball — a dance
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. chair — to sit on
  12. chair — a leader
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. chair — a professorship
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. bulb — for light
  19. toast — bread
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. bulb — of a plant
  23. ball — a great time
  24. leaves — lets stay

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