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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. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  9. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  10. The ________________ went through the wall.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. David sat on the ________________.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. firm — steady
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. swing — in golf
  9. nail — on a finger
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. rock — a stone
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. bulb — for light
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. firm — a company
  16. rock — music
  17. swing — music
  18. pass — a permit
  19. swing — to play on
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. bulb — for light
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. firm — decided

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