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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. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  9. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  18. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. pass — a permit
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. suit — clothes
  8. face — to confront
  9. scale — in music
  10. lie — to recline
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. bass — low music
  13. bass — the fish
  14. face — to point toward
  15. suit — to fit
  16. face — part of the head
  17. scale — size or range
  18. suit — in cards
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. bass — the instrument
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. scale — for weighing
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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