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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: plane · ruler · fan · pitch · lash · can · staff · mouse

  1. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  12. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  13. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  14. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  24. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. can — a tin
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. lash — a whip stroke
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. plane — a tool
  10. staff — a stick
  11. staff — employees
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. pitch — a sports field
  14. pitch — a sales talk
  15. can — a tin
  16. staff — employees
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. mouse — the animal
  24. pitch — completely

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