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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. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  10. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  11. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. row — a quarrel
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. bore — to tire
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. row — to paddle
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. fan — to cool the air
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. row — a line
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. bore — to drill
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. plane — a tool
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. bank — for money
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. bank — of a river
  24. bank — for money

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