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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. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  16. The King held a masked ________________.
  17. David sat on the ________________.
  18. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  19. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  20. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  21. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  22. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  23. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  24. The ball hit the back of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. ball — a great time
  3. swing — music
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. pass — a permit
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. stem — a stem cell
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. swing — in golf
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. stand — to bear
  15. deal — an agreement
  16. ball — a dance
  17. swing — to play on
  18. deal — a big deal
  19. stem — of a plant
  20. deal — to handle
  21. net — after costs
  22. net — for catching
  23. stem — to come from
  24. net — in sport

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