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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.

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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 · club · cabinet · bear · rash · can · coach · band

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  8. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  20. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. band — a ring
  3. can — to be able to
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. bear — the animal
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. band — a rubber band
  8. bear — to put up with
  9. can — a tin
  10. rash — hasty
  11. rash — a series
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. can — a tin
  17. plane — a tool
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. band — a music group
  20. club — for golf
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. club — a group
  23. bear — the animal
  24. club — for dancing

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