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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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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: nail · suit · deal · plane · lie · roll · ruler · mug

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  4. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. We're on a ________________ here.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  22. The ________________ went through the wall.
  23. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  24. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. suit — in cards
  3. roll — a cake
  4. lie — to recline
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. roll — on a roll
  8. mug — a face
  9. deal — to handle
  10. suit — to fit
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. plane — a tool
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. suit — clothes
  15. mug — a cup
  16. mug — to rob
  17. deal — an agreement
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. roll — a list
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. nail — on a finger
  24. lie — an untruth

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