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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: pass · ground · date · mug · vault · plane · toast · can

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  3. Have you settled on a ________________?
  4. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  12. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  13. There's no middle ________________.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  16. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  17. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. mug — a cup
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. toast — the most admired
  5. toast — bread
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. pass — a permit
  8. vault — a safe
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. mug — to rob
  11. vault — an arched ceiling
  12. date — the fruit
  13. ground — a position
  14. mug — a face
  15. vault — in gymnastics
  16. ground — crushed
  17. ground — the earth
  18. can — a tin
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. date — on the calendar
  21. can — a tin
  22. can — to be able to
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. pass — to succeed

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