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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. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  18. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  22. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  23. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  24. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. pass — a permit
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. ball — a round shape
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. mine — belonging to me
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. tube — the underground
  13. tube — in a tire
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. wave — a sudden rise
  16. board — to get on
  17. mine — for digging
  18. wave — of the sea
  19. ball — a great time
  20. ball — a dance
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. board — a committee
  23. mine — an explosive
  24. tube — a container

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