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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.

Words on the sheet
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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: plane · key · ball · spring · pass · arm · file · date

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Have you settled on a ________________?
  5. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  8. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  11. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  12. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  18. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  19. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  20. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  23. My father caught me by the ________________.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. date — on the calendar
  5. spring — a coil
  6. ball — a dance
  7. file — a document
  8. date — on the calendar
  9. key — in music
  10. file — a tool
  11. arm — a part of something
  12. file — a line of people
  13. pass — a permit
  14. plane — a tool
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. key — for a lock
  18. arm — part of the body
  19. spring — of water
  20. date — the fruit
  21. ball — a great time
  22. spring — the season
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. key — the most important part

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