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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
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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 · coach · rush · rock · root · scale · key · mug

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  3. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  4. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  5. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  8. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  9. Have you met the new head ________________?
  10. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Where did you ________________ them?
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  23. This piece is in a major ________________.
  24. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. key — the most important part
  3. mug — a cup
  4. root — the cause
  5. key — for a lock
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. rush — hurry
  8. rush — to hurry
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. root — of a word
  11. scale — size or range
  12. mug — a face
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. scale — in music
  17. plane — a tool
  18. rock — music
  19. mug — to rob
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. rock — a stone
  22. coach — a trainer
  23. key — in music
  24. root — of a plant

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