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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. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  4. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  5. I'll be taking the ________________.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  17. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  18. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  19. Have you found your soul ________________?
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  24. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?

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. jam — a tight spot
  4. pit — a fruit stone
  5. tube — the underground
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. bore — to drill
  9. pass — a permit
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. mate — a friend
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. foot — part of the body
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. tube — a container
  17. foot — a measure
  18. tube — in a tire
  19. mate — a partner
  20. pit — a hole
  21. jam — to spread on bread
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. mate — to breed
  24. bore — to tire

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