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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  6. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  22. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  23. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. can — a tin
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. plane — a tool
  6. toast — the most admired
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. toast — bread
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. patient — a sick person
  11. rock — music
  12. branch — a division
  13. can — a tin
  14. branch — of a bank
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. patient — calm and waiting
  17. can — to be able to
  18. branch — of a tree
  19. staff — employees
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. staff — employees
  22. patient — a sick person
  23. stick — a piece of wood
  24. staff — a stick

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