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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  12. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  13. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  21. When was this ________________ built?
  22. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  23. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. file — a document
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. board — a committee
  6. file — a tool
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. object — a thing
  9. plane — a tool
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. board — to get on
  12. plane — in geometry
  13. bass — low music
  14. can — to be able to
  15. object — to protest
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. bass — the fish
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. can — a tin
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. file — a line of people
  23. object — an aim
  24. temple — a place of worship

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