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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
468
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: safe · suit · date · last · club · plane · mug · fall

  1. False peace will not ________________.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  6. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  15. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  19. When will it ________________ you to start?
  20. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  21. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  22. Have you settled on a ________________?
  23. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  24. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. last — to go on
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. fall — to drop
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. fall — the season
  6. club — a group
  7. suit — clothes
  8. mug — a face
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mug — a cup
  12. date — the fruit
  13. mug — to rob
  14. last — final
  15. club — for golf
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. plane — a tool
  18. last — finally
  19. suit — to fit
  20. fall — to drop
  21. club — for dancing
  22. date — on the calendar
  23. suit — in cards
  24. date — on the calendar

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