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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: arm · can · stock · kick · plane · ball · lie · chip

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. My father caught me by the ________________.
  4. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  10. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  11. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  15. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  18. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  21. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  22. The ________________ market has crashed.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. ball — a great time
  3. arm — part of the body
  4. chip — in a computer
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. ball — a dance
  7. can — a tin
  8. can — a tin
  9. stock — a soup base
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. chip — for betting
  12. can — to be able to
  13. plane — a tool
  14. kick — in football
  15. kick — with a leg
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. kick — a thrill
  18. ball — a round shape
  19. chip — to eat
  20. stock — goods
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. stock — shares
  23. lie — to recline
  24. plane — an aircraft

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