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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 116 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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  9. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. You don't need to ________________ round.
  12. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. We're almost out of ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  17. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. The ________________ market has crashed.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  24. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. staff — employees
  6. stock — goods
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. snap — to click
  9. staff — employees
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. pop — to visit
  12. snap — to speak sharply
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. pop — soda
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. stock — a soup base
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. stock — shares
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. ruler — a monarch
  22. staff — a stick
  23. snap — to snap out of it
  24. pop — music

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