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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 in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  3. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  7. The King held a masked ________________.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. When are we going to ________________?
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  12. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  13. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  14. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  15. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  16. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  17. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. dip — to dunk
  3. land — a country
  4. bank — for money
  5. pass — a permit
  6. dip — a sauce
  7. ball — a dance
  8. bank — of a river
  9. land — to come down
  10. bank — for money
  11. ball — a round shape
  12. ball — a great time
  13. land — ground
  14. prune — the fruit
  15. dip — to sink
  16. prune — to trim
  17. prune — to trim
  18. pass — to succeed

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