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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. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  11. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  18. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to succeed
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. suit — in cards
  4. roll — a list
  5. pass — a permit
  6. dip — a sauce
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. dip — to sink
  11. pound — a weight
  12. suit — clothes
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. chip — to eat
  15. pound — for dogs
  16. suit — to fit
  17. chip — in a computer
  18. pound — to hit hard
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. roll — a cake
  22. dip — to dunk
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. chip — for betting

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