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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: date · plane · pass · cap · pit · roll · can · temple

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  10. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  11. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  12. Have you settled on a ________________?
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  18. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  19. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. cap — a hat
  4. roll — a list
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. pit — a fruit stone
  7. pass — a permit
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. roll — a cake
  10. cap — of ice
  11. pit — in a race
  12. date — on the calendar
  13. can — a tin
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. date — the fruit
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. date — on the calendar
  18. cap — a lid
  19. pit — a hole
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. can — to be able to
  23. plane — a tool
  24. pass — to succeed

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