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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  5. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  6. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  7. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. What do you think of the new ________________?
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  19. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. present — a gift
  5. present — the time now
  6. stem — a stem cell
  7. stem — of a plant
  8. rock — music
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. root — of a word
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. plane — a tool
  13. present — there
  14. rock — a stone
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. root — the cause
  19. stem — to come from
  20. deal — to handle
  21. root — of a plant
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. deal — a big deal
  24. rock — to move gently

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