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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.

Make a worksheet

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: snap · degree · safe · pitcher · plane · dip · date · leaves

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  5. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  8. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  9. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  19. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  20. He is an ace ________________.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  23. Have you settled on a ________________?
  24. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. degree — temperature
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. pitcher — a jug
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. snap — to snap out of it
  8. plane — a tool
  9. dip — a sauce
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. degree — an amount
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. degree — from a university
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. snap — to click
  19. dip — to sink
  20. pitcher — in baseball
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. snap — to speak sharply
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. date — the fruit

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