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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.

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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: plane · lie · suit · saw · coach · current · cabinet · rest

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. She's very handy with a ________________.
  24. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. rest — what's left
  3. current — of water
  4. plane — a tool
  5. current — happening now
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. current — electric
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. coach — pulled by horses
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. rest — a break
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. suit — clothes
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. suit — to fit
  18. rest — what's left
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. suit — in cards
  23. saw — the tool
  24. lie — to recline

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