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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. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  9. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  12. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  17. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. There's no middle ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Add some ________________ pepper to it.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. current — electric
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. can — a tin
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. current — happening now
  9. ground — the earth
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. root — of a plant
  12. can — a tin
  13. rock — a stone
  14. current — of water
  15. can — to be able to
  16. plane — a tool
  17. root — of a word
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. rush — hurry
  20. ground — a position
  21. rock — music
  22. root — the cause
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. ground — crushed

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