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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. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  10. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. You don't need to ________________ round.
  13. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  14. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. We're almost out of ________________.
  18. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  19. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  20. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. pop — music
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. pass — a permit
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. bear — to put up with
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. suit — in cards
  9. jam — a tight spot
  10. lie — an untruth
  11. scale — in music
  12. pop — to visit
  13. cabinet — a cupboard
  14. scale — size or range
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. lie — to recline
  17. pop — soda
  18. bear — the animal
  19. scale — for weighing
  20. bear — the animal
  21. suit — to fit
  22. jam — to spread on bread
  23. suit — clothes
  24. jam — in traffic

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