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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. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  16. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. can — a tin
  3. rock — a stone
  4. plane — a tool
  5. can — a tin
  6. net — after costs
  7. perch — the fish
  8. pass — a permit
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. perch — for a bird
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. net — for catching
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. can — to be able to
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. toast — bread
  21. net — in sport
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. rock — music
  24. bowl — a dish

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