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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: roll · safe · cap · wound · stand · board · wax · plane

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  3. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. I can't ________________ this cold.
  8. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  16. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  23. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  24. The ________________ took off on time.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. board — a flat piece
  3. stand — for spectators
  4. plane — a tool
  5. board — to get on
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. stand — to bear
  8. wound — an injury
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. cap — of ice
  12. board — a committee
  13. wound — an injury
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. wax — for sculpting
  16. cap — a lid
  17. roll — a list
  18. wax — in the ear
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. wound — past of 'wind'
  21. roll — a cake
  22. wax — to grow
  23. cap — a hat
  24. plane — an aircraft

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