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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. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  3. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  4. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  5. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  6. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  7. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  8. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  9. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  10. When will it ________________ you to start?
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  13. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  14. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. That must've been a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. firm — decided
  3. staff — employees
  4. branch — a division
  5. net — for catching
  6. rush — to hurry
  7. net — after costs
  8. firm — steady
  9. spell — magic
  10. suit — to fit
  11. staff — a stick
  12. net — in sport
  13. branch — of a tree
  14. spell — a short time
  15. firm — a company
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. staff — employees
  18. spell — letters
  19. suit — in cards
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. rush — hurry
  22. suit — clothes
  23. pass — a permit
  24. rush — a thrill

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