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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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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: mark · plane · press · rock · rush · season · mouse · toast

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Did you ________________ the button?
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  10. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  17. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. press — to push
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. mark — a trace
  5. rush — hurry
  6. rock — music
  7. season — in sport
  8. toast — bread
  9. toast — a drink to someone
  10. rock — a stone
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. mouse — the animal
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. mouse — for a computer
  17. press — a publisher
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. season — of the year
  20. press — newspapers
  21. mark — a grade
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. plane — a tool
  24. mark — to pay attention

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