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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. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  16. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  17. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  18. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  19. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  20. The ________________ went through the wall.
  21. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  22. We're on a ________________ here.
  23. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  24. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. roll — a list
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. roll — a cake
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. stick — to attach or keep to
  7. pit — a hole
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. plane — a tool
  10. rest — what's left
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. rest — a break
  13. rest — what's left
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. prune — the fruit
  16. nail — on a finger
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. pit — in a race
  19. stick — a piece of wood
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. prune — to trim
  22. roll — on a roll
  23. prune — to trim
  24. pit — a fruit stone

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