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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 · rest · stand · can · charge · content · bay · saw

  1. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  3. The ________________ took off on time.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  11. I can't ________________ this cold.
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  14. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  15. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. content — happy
  3. plane — an aircraft
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. charge — electricity
  6. rest — what's left
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. content — videos and posts
  9. saw — the tool
  10. stand — on your feet
  11. stand — to bear
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. saw — past of 'see'
  14. bay — to keep at bay
  15. content — the amount
  16. charge — a price
  17. rest — a break
  18. charge — in control
  19. rest — what's left
  20. can — to be able to
  21. can — a tin
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. saw — the tool
  24. can — a tin

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