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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  3. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  4. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  5. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. There's no middle ________________.
  13. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  14. It's one o'clock ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. mark — a trace
  3. sharp — with an edge
  4. bank — of a river
  5. ground — the earth
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. bank — for money
  8. lash — to lash out
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. bank — for money
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. ground — a position
  13. ground — crushed
  14. sharp — exactly
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. sharp — clever
  17. leaves — of a tree
  18. suit — in cards
  19. mark — a grade
  20. suit — clothes
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. lash — an eyelash
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. suit — to fit

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