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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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  12. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  18. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. can — a tin
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. season — in sport
  7. wave — with your hand
  8. season — of the year
  9. wave — a sudden rise
  10. can — a tin
  11. toast — bread
  12. rush — to hurry
  13. can — to be able to
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. rush — hurry
  16. plane — a tool
  17. wave — of the sea
  18. trunk — of a tree
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. leaves — of a tree
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. trunk — of a car
  24. plane — an aircraft

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