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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
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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: field · key · charge · branch · board · foot · plane · rest

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  3. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  7. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  15. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  19. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  20. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  21. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  22. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  23. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. board — to get on
  3. field — for sport
  4. key — in music
  5. charge — electricity
  6. board — a committee
  7. branch — of a tree
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. charge — in control
  10. rest — what's left
  11. rest — a break
  12. plane — a tool
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. rest — what's left
  15. key — for a lock
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. charge — a price
  18. field — a subject
  19. foot — a measure
  20. branch — a division
  21. branch — of a bank
  22. board — a flat piece
  23. field — farmland
  24. key — the most important part

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