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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
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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: saw · wax · bound · face · vault · mark · plane · press

  1. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. Did you ________________ the button?
  6. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  7. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. That was ________________ to happen.
  12. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  13. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. She's very handy with a ________________.
  16. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  17. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  24. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.

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

Answer key

  1. press — newspapers
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. bound — obliged
  5. press — to push
  6. mark — a trace
  7. wax — to grow
  8. mark — a grade
  9. vault — a safe
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. bound — certain
  12. wax — in the ear
  13. face — part of the head
  14. face — to confront
  15. saw — the tool
  16. face — to point toward
  17. vault — in gymnastics
  18. plane — a tool
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. press — a publisher
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. saw — the tool
  23. bound — tied together
  24. vault — an arched ceiling

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