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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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  4. What do you think of the new ________________?
  5. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. He was locked up in a ________________.
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  18. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  21. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. pit — in a race
  3. plane — a tool
  4. cabinet — ministers
  5. leaves — to go away
  6. pass — a permit
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. cell — in a prison
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. pit — a hole
  11. fine — all right
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. cell — a phone
  15. fine — high quality
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. cabinet — a cupboard
  18. pit — a fruit stone
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. face — part of the head
  21. face — to point toward
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. face — to confront
  24. cell — in biology

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