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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. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. Have you met the new head ________________?
  4. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  8. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  9. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  14. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  15. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  18. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  21. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. fine — high quality
  5. pass — a permit
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. wound — past of 'wind'
  8. dip — to sink
  9. bore — to drill
  10. can — a tin
  11. wound — an injury
  12. can — to be able to
  13. dip — to dunk
  14. wound — an injury
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. bore — gave birth
  18. coach — pulled by horses
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. bore — to tire
  21. fine — all right
  22. can — a tin
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. pass — to succeed

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