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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 120 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. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  7. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. That was ________________ to happen.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  16. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  17. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. deal — to handle
  3. object — a thing
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. object — to protest
  6. march — music
  7. object — an aim
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. bound — tied together
  10. bound — obliged
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. bound — certain
  13. staff — employees
  14. pass — a permit
  15. spell — magic
  16. staff — employees
  17. march — the month
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. staff — a stick
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. march — the month
  22. spell — letters
  23. spell — a short time
  24. deal — an agreement

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