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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 · leaves · pass · current · date · chip · field · stock

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  3. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  4. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  5. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  6. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  9. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. The ________________ market has crashed.
  12. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  17. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. Have you settled on a ________________?
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  23. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. field — for sport
  3. stock — a soup base
  4. date — on the calendar
  5. leaves — lets stay
  6. plane — a tool
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. chip — in a computer
  9. date — the fruit
  10. current — happening now
  11. stock — shares
  12. chip — for betting
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. chip — to eat
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. stock — goods
  17. field — a subject
  18. current — of water
  19. current — electric
  20. date — on the calendar
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. pass — to spend time
  23. field — farmland
  24. pass — a permit

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