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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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. My mare is ________________ in color.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  18. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  21. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  22. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  23. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  24. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. rash — on the skin
  4. rash — a series
  5. pass — a permit
  6. race — humankind
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. bay — a horse colour
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. stand — to bear
  13. bay — a part of the sea
  14. rash — hasty
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. race — a contest
  18. plane — in geometry
  19. bore — to tire
  20. race — the arms race
  21. stand — on your feet
  22. bore — to drill
  23. bay — to keep at bay
  24. temple — side of the head

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