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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: lean · face · deal · bear · leaves · plane · track · bank

  1. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  2. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  3. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  13. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  24. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to point toward
  2. lean — to bend
  3. track — a song
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. bear — the animal
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. bank — for money
  9. bear — the animal
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. face — part of the head
  13. track — a path
  14. lean — thin
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. track — to keep track
  17. bank — of a river
  18. bank — for money
  19. deal — to handle
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. face — to confront
  22. plane — a tool
  23. lean — to rest against
  24. deal — a big deal

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