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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. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. This piece is in a major ________________.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. That was ________________ to happen.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  18. The King held a masked ________________.
  19. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. tube — a container
  3. bound — tied together
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. key — in music
  7. tube — the underground
  8. stem — of a plant
  9. plane — a tool
  10. bound — certain
  11. key — the most important part
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. bound — obliged
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. stem — to come from
  16. pass — a permit
  17. ball — a great time
  18. ball — a dance
  19. perch — the fish
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. key — for a lock
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. perch — for a bird

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