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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 116 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: plane · face · suit · current · pit · leaves · pass · root

  1. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  22. When will it ________________ you to start?
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. face — part of the head
  4. current — of water
  5. root — the cause
  6. face — to confront
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. suit — in cards
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. root — of a word
  12. pass — a permit
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. plane — a tool
  15. current — happening now
  16. face — to point toward
  17. current — electric
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. root — of a plant
  21. pit — a hole
  22. suit — to fit
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. pit — in a race

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