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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  7. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  8. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  11. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. That must've been a ________________.
  14. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  15. I can't ________________ this cold.
  16. We're on a ________________ here.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  24. I've got to change the light ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. dip — to dunk
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. bulb — of a plant
  7. bowl — a dish
  8. bass — the fish
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bass — low music
  11. roll — a list
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. rush — a thrill
  14. roll — a cake
  15. stand — to bear
  16. roll — on a roll
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. rush — hurry
  21. bowl — to roll
  22. dip — to sink
  23. bowl — a football final
  24. bulb — for light

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