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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 carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  7. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  8. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  9. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  16. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  17. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  21. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. What do you think of the new ________________?
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. root — the cause
  3. mug — a cup
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. hand — help
  7. face — to confront
  8. hand — in cards
  9. cabinet — a cupboard
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. mug — a face
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. face — to point toward
  15. hand — part of the body
  16. root — of a word
  17. face — part of the head
  18. root — of a plant
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. jam — a tight spot
  21. toast — a drink to someone
  22. toast — bread
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. mug — to rob

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