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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: pass · board · leaves · stand · rock · bear · plane · lie

  1. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  15. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  16. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. pass — a permit
  3. board — a committee
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. board — to get on
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. lie — to recline
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. rock — a stone
  16. bear — the animal
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. bear — the animal
  21. rock — music
  22. stand — to bear
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. plane — a tool

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