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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. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  4. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  8. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  12. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  13. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. I seem to be developing a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. bank — of a river
  3. toast — bread
  4. wave — a sudden rise
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. mark — a grade
  7. toast — the most admired
  8. wave — with your hand
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. bank — for money
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. bank — for money
  13. rash — a series
  14. rash — hasty
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. lash — an eyelash
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. plane — a tool
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. mark — a trace
  22. wave — of the sea
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. rash — on the skin

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