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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.

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: fine · foot · mark · plane · ball · drill · hide · root

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  14. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  22. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. drill — army training
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. fine — high quality
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. drill — a practice
  8. mark — a grade
  9. foot — the bottom
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. root — of a word
  12. ball — a dance
  13. hide — animal skin
  14. plane — a tool
  15. foot — a measure
  16. root — the cause
  17. root — of a plant
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. mark — a trace
  20. fine — all right
  21. foot — part of the body
  22. drill — the tool
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. ball — a great time

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