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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. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  4. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  14. False peace will not ________________.
  15. That must've been a ________________.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — the bottom
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. foot — a measure
  4. last — finally
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. rush — hurry
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. rock — a stone
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. rock — music
  14. last — to go on
  15. rush — a thrill
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. pass — a permit
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. lie — to recline
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. last — final
  24. bowl — a dish

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