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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: can · perch · lash · dip · key · nail · plane · deal

  1. The ________________ took off on time.
  2. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. The ________________ went through the wall.
  8. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  18. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — an aircraft
  2. nail — on a finger
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. dip — to sink
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. perch — for a bird
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. can — to be able to
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. deal — to handle
  13. key — for a lock
  14. key — in music
  15. can — a tin
  16. key — the most important part
  17. nail — for a hammer
  18. perch — for a bird
  19. can — a tin
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. lash — a whip stroke
  22. plane — a tool
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. perch — the fish

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