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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. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  10. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  19. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  23. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  24. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. drill — a practice
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bank — for money
  7. perch — the fish
  8. stand — to bear
  9. patient — a sick person
  10. patient — calm and waiting
  11. bank — for money
  12. plane — a tool
  13. drill — army training
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. bank — of a river
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. cabinet — a cupboard
  19. perch — for a bird
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. perch — for a bird
  23. drill — the tool
  24. patient — a sick person

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