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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 120 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. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  6. My mare is ________________ in color.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  12. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  22. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. stem — of a plant
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. branch — of a tree
  6. bay — a horse colour
  7. mug — to rob
  8. mug — a cup
  9. foot — a measure
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. stem — to come from
  12. foot — part of the body
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. branch — a division
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. mug — a face
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. stem — a stem cell
  22. branch — of a bank
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. bowl — a football final

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