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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 120 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 · stem · safe · row · nail · dip · suit · deal

  1. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  2. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. The ________________ went through the wall.
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  11. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  12. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  16. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  19. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  20. The ________________ took off on time.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — a big deal
  2. dip — a sauce
  3. suit — to fit
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. row — to paddle
  6. suit — clothes
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. row — a quarrel
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. deal — to handle
  11. dip — to dunk
  12. nail — for a hammer
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. stem — of a plant
  16. stem — a stem cell
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. row — a line
  19. stem — to come from
  20. plane — an aircraft
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. suit — in cards
  23. dip — to sink
  24. plane — a tool

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