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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  12. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  13. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  14. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  22. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. vault — an arched ceiling
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. track — a song
  5. bowl — a football final
  6. plane — a tool
  7. lie — to recline
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. bass — the instrument
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. track — a path
  12. bass — the fish
  13. vault — in gymnastics
  14. bowl — to roll
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. bulb — for light
  19. cabinet — a cupboard
  20. bulb — for light
  21. vault — a safe
  22. track — to keep track
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. bass — low music

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