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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.

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: pass · plane · stick · lean · can · key · season · temple

  1. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. When was this ________________ built?
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Did you ________________ the meat?
  17. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  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. lean — to bend
  2. can — a tin
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. key — in music
  6. season — in sport
  7. can — to be able to
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. can — a tin
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. key — the most important part
  15. pass — a permit
  16. season — to add flavour
  17. lean — to rest against
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. season — of the year
  20. lean — thin
  21. key — for a lock
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. plane — an aircraft
  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