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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 116 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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  4. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  5. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  8. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  21. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. rock — music
  4. branch — a division
  5. craft — a skill
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. pitcher — a jug
  8. branch — of a tree
  9. deal — to handle
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. can — a tin
  14. branch — of a bank
  15. can — to be able to
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. craft — a handicraft
  19. rock — a stone
  20. mark — a grade
  21. craft — boats
  22. can — a tin
  23. mark — a trace
  24. pass — a permit

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