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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. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  12. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  15. The ________________ went through the wall.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  18. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  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. track — a path
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. pass — a permit
  5. ruler — a monarch
  6. tube — a container
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. bank — of a river
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. bank — for money
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. nail — for a hammer
  15. nail — for a hammer
  16. track — to keep track
  17. track — a song
  18. tube — in a tire
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. nail — on a finger
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. bank — for money
  23. tube — the underground
  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