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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. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  2. The ________________ took off on time.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  12. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  20. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  24. Hard work is the ________________ to success.

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

Answer key

  1. row — a line
  2. plane — an aircraft
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. fine — high quality
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. pitch — a sports field
  7. key — in music
  8. pitch — completely
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. row — to paddle
  12. fine — all right
  13. staff — employees
  14. key — for a lock
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. staff — employees
  17. pass — a permit
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. row — a quarrel
  20. pitch — a sales talk
  21. staff — a stick
  22. plane — a tool
  23. wave — a sudden rise
  24. key — the most important part

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