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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. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  12. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  16. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  17. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  20. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  21. Did you ________________ the button?
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. staff — employees
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. wake — to stop sleeping
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. press — a publisher
  10. staff — employees
  11. cabinet — ministers
  12. bass — low music
  13. suit — to fit
  14. pass — a permit
  15. press — newspapers
  16. wake — before a funeral
  17. suit — in cards
  18. suit — clothes
  19. bass — the instrument
  20. wake — a trail
  21. press — to push
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. bass — the fish
  24. staff — a stick

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