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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. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  6. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — a piece of wood
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. toast — bread
  5. lie — an untruth
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. suit — clothes
  8. toast — the most admired
  9. suit — to fit
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. staff — employees
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. coach — pulled by horses
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. can — a tin
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. can — to be able to
  18. pass — a permit
  19. lie — to recline
  20. suit — in cards
  21. staff — a stick
  22. can — a tin
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. staff — employees

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