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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: mark · net · charge · plane · root · wound · foot · object

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. The ________________ took off on time.
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  8. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  15. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  16. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  17. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  20. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  21. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. This looks like a gunshot ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. mark — a trace
  3. charge — in control
  4. charge — electricity
  5. plane — an aircraft
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. foot — a measure
  8. root — of a word
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. wound — past of 'wind'
  11. charge — a price
  12. root — the cause
  13. object — a thing
  14. net — in sport
  15. net — after costs
  16. wound — an injury
  17. net — for catching
  18. root — of a plant
  19. foot — part of the body
  20. plane — in geometry
  21. object — an aim
  22. mark — a grade
  23. object — to protest
  24. wound — an injury

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