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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 ________________ took off on time.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  5. Have you settled on a ________________?
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. We're on a ________________ here.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  24. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. rash — a series
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. roll — a cake
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. suit — in cards
  8. can — a tin
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. suit — to fit
  11. can — to be able to
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. rash — hasty
  14. can — a tin
  15. plane — in geometry
  16. plane — a tool
  17. lie — to recline
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. roll — on a roll
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. suit — clothes
  23. roll — a list
  24. date — the fruit

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