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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  15. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. pass — a permit
  3. current — of water
  4. hide — animal skin
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. current — electric
  8. bore — to drill
  9. drill — army training
  10. current — happening now
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. jam — a tight spot
  15. bore — to tire
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. drill — a practice
  19. fine — high quality
  20. fine — all right
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. plane — a tool
  24. drill — the tool

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