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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 116 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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  11. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  12. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  13. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  14. I'll be taking the ________________.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  20. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  21. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. tube — a container
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. pass — a permit
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. hand — in cards
  11. bay — to keep at bay
  12. pit — in a race
  13. tube — in a tire
  14. tube — the underground
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. hand — help
  17. can — to be able to
  18. can — a tin
  19. hand — part of the body
  20. plane — a tool
  21. pit — a hole
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. pit — a fruit stone
  24. can — a tin

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