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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. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  2. Don't do anything ________________.
  3. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — to put up with
  2. rash — hasty
  3. firm — steady
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. bear — the animal
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. staff — employees
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. firm — a company
  11. pass — a permit
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. staff — employees
  14. bay — a part of the sea
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. bear — the animal
  18. staff — a stick
  19. bowl — a football final
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. firm — decided
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. rash — a series

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