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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. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  10. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. That was a fun ________________.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. snap — to snap out of it
  4. plane — a tool
  5. stand — to bear
  6. game — wild animals
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. object — a thing
  10. snap — to speak sharply
  11. foot — a measure
  12. snap — to click
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. game — a match
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. object — an aim
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. object — to protest
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. game — a kind of play

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