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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. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  3. This piece is in a major ________________.
  4. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. Did you ________________ the button?
  12. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  20. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  21. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  22. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. spring — of water
  3. key — in music
  4. wound — an injury
  5. board — to get on
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. press — newspapers
  10. key — for a lock
  11. press — to push
  12. spring — a coil
  13. press — a publisher
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. plane — a tool
  17. board — a committee
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. wound — an injury
  20. key — the most important part
  21. spring — the season
  22. wound — past of 'wind'
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. calf — a young animal

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