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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. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  9. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  21. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. fall — to drop
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. suit — clothes
  5. bank — for money
  6. bank — for money
  7. plane — a tool
  8. wake — a trail
  9. season — of the year
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. fall — to drop
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. fall — the season
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. season — in sport
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. wake — to stop sleeping
  18. suit — in cards
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. wake — before a funeral
  21. calf — a young animal
  22. suit — to fit
  23. bank — of a river
  24. cabinet — ministers

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