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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: game · leaves · degree · bank · plane · lie · safe · bore

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. That was a fun ________________.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  14. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  19. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. game — a match
  3. bore — to drill
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. bore — to tire
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. degree — an amount
  8. plane — a tool
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. degree — temperature
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. degree — from a university
  14. lie — an untruth
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. bank — of a river
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. lie — to recline
  19. bank — for money
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. game — a kind of play
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. game — wild animals

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