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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 120 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. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. My father caught me by the ________________.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  9. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  10. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  13. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  14. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  15. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  16. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. spring — a coil
  3. can — to be able to
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. rash — a series
  6. arm — part of the body
  7. pass — a permit
  8. board — a flat piece
  9. board — to get on
  10. arm — a part of something
  11. rash — hasty
  12. arm — part of the body
  13. bass — the fish
  14. spring — of water
  15. board — a committee
  16. bowl — to roll
  17. can — a tin
  18. bass — the instrument
  19. can — a tin
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. spring — the season
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. bass — low music
  24. bowl — a dish

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