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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. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  3. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  4. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. He works in a ________________ mill.
  8. She's very handy with a ________________.
  9. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  12. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  13. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. bat — in an idiom
  3. lean — thin
  4. firm — a company
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. mark — a trace
  7. saw — the tool
  8. saw — the tool
  9. season — in sport
  10. firm — steady
  11. bat — for baseball
  12. mark — to pay attention
  13. firm — decided
  14. mark — a grade
  15. season — of the year
  16. plane — a tool
  17. suit — to fit
  18. lean — to bend
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. bat — the animal
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. suit — clothes
  23. suit — in cards
  24. lean — to rest against

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