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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: plane · object · leaves · foot · wax · stick · safe · bass

  1. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  2. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  3. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  11. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  12. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  13. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  14. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  15. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  20. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  21. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.

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

Answer key

  1. wax — to grow
  2. wax — in the ear
  3. object — to protest
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. bass — the fish
  12. wax — for sculpting
  13. bass — the instrument
  14. foot — the bottom
  15. leaves — to go away
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. bass — low music
  19. object — a thing
  20. foot — part of the body
  21. object — an aim
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. plane — a tool
  24. foot — a measure

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