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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. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  4. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  14. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  20. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  21. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. shower — rain
  4. lean — to rest against
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. shower — to wash
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. band — a music group
  9. pass — a permit
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. band — a ring
  12. lean — to bend
  13. stand — on your feet
  14. season — in sport
  15. bulb — for light
  16. shower — a meteor shower
  17. bulb — for light
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. lean — thin
  20. season — of the year
  21. band — a rubber band
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. stand — to bear
  24. pass — to succeed

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