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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. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  4. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  5. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  6. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  7. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  13. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  16. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. It's one o'clock ________________.
  19. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. shower — to wash
  4. shower — a meteor shower
  5. prune — to trim
  6. lie — to recline
  7. chip — for betting
  8. plane — a tool
  9. can — a tin
  10. prune — the fruit
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. board — to get on
  13. shower — rain
  14. chip — to eat
  15. board — a flat piece
  16. prune — to trim
  17. can — to be able to
  18. sharp — exactly
  19. chip — in a computer
  20. can — a tin
  21. sharp — with an edge
  22. board — a committee
  23. sharp — clever
  24. lie — an untruth

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