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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.

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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: plane · current · calf · press · craft · dip · pass · nail

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  4. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  12. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. The ________________ went through the wall.
  17. Did you ________________ the button?
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  20. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  21. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  22. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. press — a publisher
  4. calf — a young animal
  5. current — electric
  6. dip — to sink
  7. current — of water
  8. plane — a tool
  9. craft — a handicraft
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. craft — boats
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. craft — a skill
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. nail — for a hammer
  17. press — to push
  18. current — happening now
  19. plane — in geometry
  20. calf — of the leg
  21. dip — to dunk
  22. nail — for a hammer
  23. pass — a permit
  24. pass — to spend 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