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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. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  8. There's no middle ________________.
  9. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  12. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  24. Many English words ________________ from Latin.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. stem — a stem cell
  3. press — a publisher
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. press — newspapers
  8. ground — a position
  9. ground — crushed
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. shower — rain
  12. stem — of a plant
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. plane — a tool
  15. shower — to wash
  16. bank — of a river
  17. shower — a meteor shower
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. bank — for money
  21. press — to push
  22. bank — for money
  23. ground — the earth
  24. stem — to come from

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