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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. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  16. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  17. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  23. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  24. A black ________________ roamed the forest.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. current — happening now
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. current — of water
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. mate — a partner
  8. bore — to drill
  9. suit — to fit
  10. current — electric
  11. suit — in cards
  12. pass — a permit
  13. mate — a friend
  14. suit — clothes
  15. scale — size or range
  16. bore — gave birth
  17. mate — to breed
  18. toast — bread
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. bear — to put up with
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. bore — to tire
  23. bear — the animal
  24. bear — the animal

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