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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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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. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  6. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. We're on a ________________ here.
  11. We're almost out of ________________.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. You don't need to ________________ round.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. season — of the year
  3. can — a tin
  4. pop — music
  5. mark — to pay attention
  6. season — in sport
  7. mark — a grade
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. mark — a trace
  10. roll — on a roll
  11. pop — soda
  12. pass — a permit
  13. roll — a cake
  14. pop — to visit
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. can — a tin
  17. roll — a list
  18. can — to be able to

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