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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  5. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  6. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  7. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  12. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  24. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. rock — a stone
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. craft — a skill
  5. chest — a box
  6. tube — in a tire
  7. craft — a handicraft
  8. pass — a permit
  9. temple — side of the head
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. chest — of your body
  12. chest — of your body
  13. plane — a tool
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. tube — the underground
  16. lean — to bend
  17. rock — music
  18. lean — thin
  19. tube — a container
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. temple — a place of worship
  24. craft — boats

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