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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
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: mine · plane · key · rock · last · fan · craft · season

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  6. False peace will not ________________.
  7. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. This piece is in a major ________________.
  10. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  11. The ________________ took off on time.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  16. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  19. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. mine — for digging
  4. season — of the year
  5. fan — to cool the air
  6. last — to go on
  7. craft — boats
  8. season — in sport
  9. key — in music
  10. craft — a skill
  11. plane — an aircraft
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. last — final
  14. key — for a lock
  15. mine — an explosive
  16. craft — a handicraft
  17. plane — a tool
  18. last — finally
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. rock — music
  21. key — the most important part
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. mine — belonging to me
  24. rock — to move gently

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