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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  3. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  6. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  9. The ________________ market has crashed.
  10. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  11. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  12. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  13. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  14. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  21. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  24. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. pitch — completely
  3. bore — to tire
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. mine — an explosive
  6. mine — for digging
  7. pass — a permit
  8. pitch — a sales talk
  9. stock — shares
  10. root — the cause
  11. root — of a word
  12. stock — goods
  13. mine — belonging to me
  14. ball — a great time
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. ball — a dance
  20. root — of a plant
  21. ball — a round shape
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. bore — gave birth
  24. bore — to drill

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