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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. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. hide — to keep secret
  2. suit — to fit
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. can — a tin
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. lean — thin
  7. bank — for money
  8. hide — animal skin
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. face — to point toward
  13. bank — of a river
  14. suit — clothes
  15. can — a tin
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. face — to confront
  18. suit — in cards
  19. face — part of the head
  20. can — to be able to
  21. lean — to bend
  22. plane — a tool
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. bank — for money

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