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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 ________________ went through the wall.
  2. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  3. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  4. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  20. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  21. What do you think of the new ________________?
  22. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  23. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. plane — a tool
  3. deal — an agreement
  4. deal — a big deal
  5. deal — to handle
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. board — to get on
  8. can — a tin
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. can — a tin
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. can — to be able to
  14. track — to keep track
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. track — a path
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. board — a committee
  20. track — a song
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. nail — on a finger

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