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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  7. False peace will not ________________.
  8. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  17. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. last — final
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. rock — to move gently
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. pit — a fruit stone
  7. last — to go on
  8. last — finally
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. bank — for money
  11. rush — hurry
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. pit — a hole
  16. bank — for money
  17. rock — a stone
  18. toast — bread
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. rock — music
  24. bank — of a river

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