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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. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. Have you found your soul ________________?
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  24. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. mate — a friend
  4. mate — a partner
  5. can — a tin
  6. rash — hasty
  7. rash — on the skin
  8. suit — in cards
  9. board — to get on
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. suit — clothes
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. mate — to breed
  14. key — in music
  15. can — to be able to
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. suit — to fit
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. can — a tin
  20. board — a committee
  21. pass — a permit
  22. key — the most important part
  23. rash — a series
  24. key — for a lock

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