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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 124 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.

Make a worksheet

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. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  17. Have you settled on a ________________?
  18. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  19. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.

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

Answer key

  1. ball — a round shape
  2. plane — a tool
  3. toast — a drink to someone
  4. mug — a cup
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. object — a thing
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. bass — the instrument
  10. lie — to recline
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. object — to protest
  13. bass — the fish
  14. ball — a dance
  15. mug — to rob
  16. object — an aim
  17. date — on the calendar
  18. date — on the calendar
  19. toast — bread
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. mug — a face
  22. bass — low music
  23. ball — a great time
  24. date — the fruit

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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