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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 116 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 dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  7. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  14. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — a meteor shower
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. wax — for sculpting
  7. face — to point toward
  8. can — a tin
  9. suit — clothes
  10. can — a tin
  11. face — to confront
  12. plane — a tool
  13. wax — to grow
  14. shower — to wash
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. face — part of the head
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. can — to be able to
  21. shower — rain
  22. suit — to fit
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. suit — in cards

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