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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 116 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. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  9. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  23. False peace will not ________________.
  24. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. rock — a stone
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. sharp — with an edge
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. key — the most important part
  10. key — for a lock
  11. calf — of the leg
  12. last — final
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. last — finally
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. plane — a tool
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. rock — music
  20. stick — to attach or keep to
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. sharp — clever
  23. last — to go on
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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