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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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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: rush · face · pass · plane · firm · arm · deal · can

  1. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  12. That must've been a ________________.
  13. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  14. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  15. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The ________________ took off on time.
  18. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  21. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  22. My father caught me by the ________________.
  23. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — in geometry
  2. can — a tin
  3. firm — a company
  4. rush — hurry
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. pass — a permit
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. can — a tin
  9. face — to confront
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. plane — a tool
  12. rush — a thrill
  13. deal — an agreement
  14. firm — decided
  15. face — part of the head
  16. can — to be able to
  17. plane — an aircraft
  18. face — to point toward
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. arm — a part of something
  21. firm — steady
  22. arm — part of the body
  23. arm — part of the body
  24. deal — to handle

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