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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 sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  2. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  12. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  17. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. She's very handy with a ________________.
  20. He works in a ________________ mill.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — a part of the sea
  2. mate — a friend
  3. charge — a price
  4. saw — past of 'see'
  5. rock — a stone
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. foot — the bottom
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. pass — a permit
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. jam — to spread on bread
  12. foot — a measure
  13. charge — in control
  14. jam — in traffic
  15. charge — electricity
  16. mate — to breed
  17. foot — part of the body
  18. rock — music
  19. saw — the tool
  20. saw — the tool
  21. mate — a partner
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. pass — to spend time
  24. pass — to succeed

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