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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: lie · sharp · rash · board · object · charge · plane · fan

  1. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  5. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  9. It's one o'clock ________________.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. Don't do anything ________________.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — a supporter
  2. object — a thing
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. board — a committee
  5. sharp — clever
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. board — to get on
  9. sharp — exactly
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. plane — a tool
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. object — to protest
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. lie — to recline
  17. rash — hasty
  18. charge — a price
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. rash — a series
  21. charge — in control
  22. charge — electricity
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. object — an aim

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