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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. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  5. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  6. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  9. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  10. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  11. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  14. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  15. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  16. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  17. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  21. David sat on the ________________.
  22. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  23. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. swing — in golf
  5. bore — gave birth
  6. stem — of a plant
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. plane — in geometry
  9. swing — music
  10. mine — an explosive
  11. bore — to drill
  12. pass — a permit
  13. bore — to tire
  14. mine — belonging to me
  15. mine — for digging
  16. stem — to come from
  17. press — newspapers
  18. rock — a stone
  19. press — to push
  20. stem — a stem cell
  21. swing — to play on
  22. rock — music
  23. press — a publisher
  24. plane — a tool

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