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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  10. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  11. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  20. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. track — a song
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. track — a path
  5. track — to keep track
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. leaves — to go away
  10. cap — a hat
  11. cap — of ice
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. rock — music
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. stick — to attach or keep to
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. cap — a lid
  20. dip — to sink
  21. pass — a permit
  22. rock — a stone
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. dip — a sauce

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