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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: can · stick · plane · spell · safe · file · wax · root

  1. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  10. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  15. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  18. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. How do you ________________ your surname?
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.

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

Answer key

  1. safe — out of danger
  2. root — of a plant
  3. plane — a tool
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. can — a tin
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. stick — to attach or keep to
  8. can — to be able to
  9. file — a line of people
  10. file — a tool
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. wax — in the ear
  13. can — a tin
  14. spell — magic
  15. root — the cause
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. wax — for sculpting
  18. file — a document
  19. root — of a word
  20. spell — letters
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. wax — to grow
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. spell — a short time

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