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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. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  5. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  22. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  23. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. can — to be able to
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. field — a subject
  5. field — for sport
  6. stand — to bear
  7. pass — a permit
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. hide — animal skin
  10. can — a tin
  11. hide — to keep secret
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. can — a tin
  14. hide — to keep secret
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. temple — side of the head
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. field — farmland
  22. rush — hurry
  23. rush — to hurry
  24. rush — a thrill

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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