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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. When are we going to ________________?
  11. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  12. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. This piece is in a major ________________.
  17. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. Where did you ________________ them?
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. Biology is a ________________ of science.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. branch — of a bank
  5. key — for a lock
  6. mug — a cup
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. plane — a tool
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. land — to come down
  11. land — ground
  12. land — a country
  13. rush — hurry
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. key — the most important part
  16. key — in music
  17. branch — of a tree
  18. mug — a face
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. mug — to rob
  22. mark — a trace
  23. mark — a grade
  24. branch — a division

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