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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. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. In my city, the temperature is one ________________ above zero.
  8. To what ________________ are you interested in baseball?
  9. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  10. I had chicken pox when I was a ________________.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Don't ________________ yourself. You couldn't afford to buy a house like this.
  21. A university ________________ is the ticket to a successful career.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. We've got to handle this with ________________ gloves.
  24. When will it ________________ you to start?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. current — of water
  3. suit — in cards
  4. fine — all right
  5. current — electric
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. degree — temperature
  8. degree — an amount
  9. fine — high quality
  10. kid — child
  11. mark — a trace
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. mark — a grade
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. current — happening now
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. fine — a penalty
  19. suit — clothes
  20. kid — to tease
  21. degree — from a university
  22. pass — a permit
  23. kid — young goat (kid gloves)
  24. suit — to fit

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