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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.

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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: plane · jam · face · bass · hide · board · pop · charge

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. You don't need to ________________ round.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. We're almost out of ________________.
  16. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  21. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  24. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. charge — a price
  4. charge — in control
  5. pop — to visit
  6. bass — the fish
  7. hide — to keep secret
  8. plane — a tool
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. bass — the instrument
  11. face — to confront
  12. jam — in traffic
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. charge — electricity
  15. pop — soda
  16. face — to point toward
  17. board — a committee
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. face — part of the head
  21. pop — music
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. board — to get on
  24. bass — low music

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