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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: safe · staff · pass · wax · toast · plane · file · rest

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  5. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  6. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  7. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  8. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  17. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  18. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  19. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  20. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. wax — to grow
  5. rest — what's left
  6. staff — a stick
  7. file — a line of people
  8. rest — a break
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. wax — in the ear
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. plane — a tool
  15. pass — a permit
  16. file — a document
  17. rest — what's left
  18. file — a tool
  19. staff — employees
  20. toast — a drink to someone
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. toast — bread
  24. staff — employees

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