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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. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  5. That was ________________ to happen.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  8. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  9. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  17. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  20. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  21. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  22. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. key — in music
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. stem — a stem cell
  5. bound — certain
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. pound — for dogs
  8. bound — tied together
  9. pound — a weight
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. pass — a permit
  13. rush — hurry
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. bound — obliged
  16. ball — a round shape
  17. stem — of a plant
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. pound — to hit hard
  20. key — for a lock
  21. ball — a great time
  22. stem — to come from
  23. ball — a dance
  24. key — the most important part

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