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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's taking a ________________ right now.
  2. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  10. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  11. He is an ace ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. Did you ________________ the meat?
  24. Fill up this ________________ with water.

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

Answer key

  1. shower — to wash
  2. shower — rain
  3. bulb — for light
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. stand — to bear
  7. object — an aim
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. shower — a meteor shower
  10. stand — for spectators
  11. pitcher — in baseball
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. season — of the year
  14. stand — on your feet
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. bulb — for light
  17. object — to protest
  18. season — in sport
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. pass — a permit
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. object — a thing
  23. season — to add flavour
  24. pitcher — a jug

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