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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. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  5. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  10. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  14. Have you found your soul ________________?
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. The ________________ market has crashed.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. bulb — for light
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. mark — to pay attention
  5. squash — to crush
  6. bulb — for light
  7. squash — the sport
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. press — newspapers
  10. mate — a friend
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. press — a publisher
  13. mate — to breed
  14. mate — a partner
  15. pass — a permit
  16. stock — shares
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. squash — the vegetable
  19. press — to push
  20. stock — goods
  21. mark — a grade
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. mark — a trace
  24. bulb — of a plant

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