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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 116 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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  5. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. My mare is ________________ in color.
  15. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  16. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  17. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  21. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  24. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. pass — a permit
  4. mate — to breed
  5. bark — of a tree
  6. deal — to handle
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. mate — a friend
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. key — for a lock
  11. staff — employees
  12. mate — a partner
  13. key — in music
  14. bay — a horse colour
  15. staff — employees
  16. bay — a part of the sea
  17. bark — a dog's sound
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. bark — to shout
  21. staff — a stick
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. key — the most important part
  24. calf — a young 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