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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: tube · rock · last · pitch · dip · march · plane · ruler

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. I'll be taking the ________________.
  9. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  10. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  14. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  21. False peace will not ________________.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. march — the month
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. dip — a sauce
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. pitch — a sales talk
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. tube — the underground
  9. pitch — completely
  10. march — the month
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. march — music
  14. pitch — a sports field
  15. dip — to sink
  16. rock — music
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. last — finally
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. tube — a container
  21. last — to go on
  22. rock — a stone
  23. ruler — a monarch
  24. last — final

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