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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  5. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  10. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  11. The ________________ went through the wall.
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  15. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  16. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  17. There's no middle ________________.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  21. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. scale — in music
  4. nail — on a finger
  5. bass — the instrument
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. ground — the earth
  8. scale — size or range
  9. ground — crushed
  10. leaves — lets stay
  11. nail — for a hammer
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. bass — the fish
  14. scale — for weighing
  15. trunk — of a car
  16. trunk — of an elephant
  17. ground — a position
  18. bass — low music
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. ruler — for measuring
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. leaves — to go away
  24. pass — a permit

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