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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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  9. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  10. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  11. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. mug — a cup
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. stick — to attach or keep to
  9. track — a path
  10. kick — a thrill
  11. pitch — a sales talk
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. mug — to rob
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. mug — a face
  17. track — a song
  18. kick — with a leg
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. pitch — completely
  23. track — to keep track
  24. kick — in football

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