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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: plane · suit · stock · ruler · rock · court · root · present

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. The ball is in your ________________.
  4. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  15. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  22. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  23. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. court — for sport
  4. stock — goods
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. root — of a plant
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. rock — music
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. court — of law
  11. root — the cause
  12. stock — shares
  13. root — of a word
  14. present — the time now
  15. present — there
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. plane — a tool
  18. suit — clothes
  19. rock — a stone
  20. suit — in cards
  21. stock — a soup base
  22. present — a gift
  23. court — of a king
  24. suit — to fit

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