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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 116 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 ________________ took off on time.
  2. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  3. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  4. The King held a masked ________________.
  5. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. Where did you ________________ them?
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  23. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  24. The kitten curled into a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. bass — the fish
  3. key — for a lock
  4. ball — a dance
  5. bass — the instrument
  6. can — to be able to
  7. prune — to trim
  8. ball — a great time
  9. board — a flat piece
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. plane — a tool
  12. prune — the fruit
  13. key — in music
  14. mug — a cup
  15. can — a tin
  16. can — a tin
  17. mug — to rob
  18. key — the most important part
  19. board — to get on
  20. bass — low music
  21. mug — a face
  22. prune — to trim
  23. board — a committee
  24. ball — a round shape

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