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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: fine · plane · rush · spell · wave · cabinet · coach · bore

  1. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  2. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  13. Have you met the new head ________________?
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  23. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to tire
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. coach — pulled by horses
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. wave — a sudden rise
  8. plane — a tool
  9. fine — a penalty
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. spell — a short time
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. fine — all right
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. spell — letters
  20. rush — hurry
  21. bore — to drill
  22. wave — of the sea
  23. spell — magic
  24. fine — high quality

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