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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.

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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  9. You don't need to ________________ round.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  19. It's one o'clock ________________.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. suit — in cards
  5. spell — magic
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. jam — in traffic
  9. pop — to visit
  10. plane — a tool
  11. pop — soda
  12. suit — clothes
  13. suit — to fit
  14. spell — letters
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. sharp — clever
  17. spell — a short time
  18. sharp — with an edge
  19. sharp — exactly
  20. charge — electricity
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. charge — in control
  23. charge — a price
  24. pop — 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