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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.

Make a worksheet

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: stand · season · perch · squash · temple · mark · saw · plane

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  7. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  8. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. I can't ________________ this cold.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. Did you ________________ the meat?
  23. He works in a ________________ mill.
  24. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. saw — past of 'see'
  4. plane — a tool
  5. season — in sport
  6. squash — the vegetable
  7. squash — the sport
  8. perch — the fish
  9. saw — the tool
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. stand — for spectators
  13. season — of the year
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. mark — a trace
  16. squash — to crush
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. stand — to bear
  19. mark — a grade
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. season — to add flavour
  23. saw — the tool
  24. perch — for a bird

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