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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 120 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. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  7. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  10. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. He works in a ________________ mill.
  15. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  16. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. temple — a place of worship
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. pit — in a race
  5. pit — a hole
  6. bank — of a river
  7. spring — a coil
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. bank — for money
  10. spring — of water
  11. rock — music
  12. pass — a permit
  13. rock — a stone
  14. saw — the tool
  15. spring — the season
  16. pit — a fruit stone
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. fine — all right
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. saw — the tool
  23. fine — high quality
  24. bank — for money

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