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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. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. You don't need to ________________ round.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  19. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. Have you met the new head ________________?
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — music
  2. pass — a permit
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. pop — soda
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. fine — high quality
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. pop — to visit
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. fine — all right
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. deal — to handle
  19. safe — a strongbox
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. coach — a trainer
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. ruler — for measuring

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