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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. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  2. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  12. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  13. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  14. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. The ________________ went through the wall.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  23. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  24. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a tool
  2. stick — to attach or keep to
  3. rock — a stone
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. file — a document
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. racket — a loud noise
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. racket — for tennis
  13. file — a line of people
  14. fall — the season
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. fall — to drop
  18. rock — music
  19. pass — a permit
  20. nail — for a hammer
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. fall — to drop
  24. nail — on a finger

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