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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: plane · can · ruler · present · sharp · mark · temple · spring

  1. It's one o'clock ________________.
  2. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  10. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  11. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  17. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  19. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. When was this ________________ built?

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — exactly
  2. present — the time now
  3. can — to be able to
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. plane — a tool
  7. can — a tin
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. sharp — with an edge
  10. present — there
  11. spring — a coil
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. mark — a trace
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. spring — of water
  17. spring — the season
  18. temple — side of the head
  19. can — a tin
  20. sharp — clever
  21. present — a gift
  22. mark — a grade
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. temple — a place of worship

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