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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. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  3. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  16. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  17. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  18. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. My father caught me by the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. squash — the vegetable
  3. arm — a part of something
  4. lie — to recline
  5. dip — to sink
  6. can — to be able to
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. squash — to crush
  17. squash — the sport
  18. hide — animal skin
  19. can — a tin
  20. can — a tin
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. dip — a sauce
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. arm — part of the body

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