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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: mate · dip · foot · plane · object · can · date · safe

  1. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. Have you settled on a ________________?
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  15. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  22. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?

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

Answer key

  1. foot — part of the body
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. can — a tin
  9. dip — to dunk
  10. dip — to sink
  11. foot — a measure
  12. mate — a partner
  13. object — a thing
  14. object — an aim
  15. date — on the calendar
  16. can — a tin
  17. mate — to breed
  18. can — to be able to
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. mate — a friend
  22. date — the fruit
  23. plane — a tool
  24. object — to protest

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