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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. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  3. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  6. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  9. Have you found your soul ________________?
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  12. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  13. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  14. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  17. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. I've got the luggage in my ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. bear — the animal
  3. racket — for tennis
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. stock — a soup base
  6. trunk — of an elephant
  7. fine — high quality
  8. mate — to breed
  9. mate — a partner
  10. bear — the animal
  11. rush — to hurry
  12. fine — a penalty
  13. racket — for tennis
  14. mate — a friend
  15. rush — hurry
  16. racket — a loud noise
  17. trunk — of a tree
  18. stock — goods
  19. stock — shares
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. fine — all right
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. plane — a tool
  24. trunk — of a car

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