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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.

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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: stand · vault · patient · deal · plane · cue · hand · can

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  3. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  4. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  5. I can't ________________ this cold.
  6. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  7. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  8. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  9. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  10. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  15. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  21. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  22. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  23. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  24. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. hand — part of the body
  3. patient — a sick person
  4. vault — an arched ceiling
  5. stand — to bear
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. cue — for pool
  8. stand — on your feet
  9. deal — an agreement
  10. vault — a safe
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. cue — a hint
  13. deal — to handle
  14. hand — help
  15. stand — for spectators
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. can — a tin
  18. plane — a tool
  19. cue — a signal
  20. can — to be able to
  21. hand — in cards
  22. patient — calm and waiting
  23. can — a tin
  24. vault — in gymnastics

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