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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  3. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  4. Don't do anything ________________.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  7. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  15. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. The players ran onto the football ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. foot — a measure
  3. foot — the bottom
  4. rash — hasty
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. bore — to drill
  7. pitch — a sales talk
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. mark — a trace
  10. plane — a tool
  11. rash — a series
  12. can — to be able to
  13. bore — to tire
  14. foot — part of the body
  15. pitch — completely
  16. root — of a word
  17. mark — a grade
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. bore — gave birth
  20. root — the cause
  21. can — a tin
  22. can — a tin
  23. root — of a plant
  24. pitch — a sports field

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