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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
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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: can · fork · rush · leaves · saw · spell · plane · content

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  4. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  8. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  9. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. She's very handy with a ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  22. He works in a ________________ mill.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. can — a tin
  3. content — the amount
  4. can — to be able to
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. can — a tin
  7. content — videos and posts
  8. content — happy
  9. fork — to eat with
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. rush — hurry
  12. saw — the tool
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. spell — magic
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. spell — a short time
  17. plane — a tool
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. spell — letters
  21. fork — in a road
  22. saw — the tool
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. fork — a garden 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