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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 120 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: suit · plane · stem · ruler · deal · mug · pass · hand

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  23. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  24. Where did you ________________ them?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. suit — clothes
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. mug — a face
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. suit — to fit
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. stem — of a plant
  9. mug — a cup
  10. stem — to come from
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. hand — help
  13. plane — a tool
  14. suit — in cards
  15. pass — a permit
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. deal — to handle
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. hand — part of the body
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. deal — an agreement
  23. hand — in cards
  24. mug — to rob

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