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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 120 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. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. It's one o'clock ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  10. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  11. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  12. How do you ________________ your surname?
  13. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. I'll be taking the ________________.
  20. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  21. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. arm — a part of something
  2. can — a tin
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. suit — in cards
  5. suit — to fit
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. sharp — exactly
  8. fine — high quality
  9. tube — in a tire
  10. tube — a container
  11. plane — in geometry
  12. spell — letters
  13. spell — a short time
  14. fine — all right
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. can — a tin
  18. spell — magic
  19. tube — the underground
  20. arm — part of the body
  21. sharp — clever
  22. plane — a tool
  23. suit — clothes
  24. can — to be able to

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