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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 120 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. He is an ace ________________.
  2. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. The ________________ market has crashed.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  17. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. Spring is a pleasant ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pitcher — in baseball
  2. stock — a soup base
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. pitcher — a jug
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. pass — a permit
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. plane — a tool
  12. stand — to bear
  13. stock — shares
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. calf — of the leg
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. stock — goods
  23. season — in sport
  24. season — of the year

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