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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. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  15. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. coach — pulled by horses
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. mark — a trace
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. rock — a stone
  15. leaves — lets stay
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. pass — a permit
  21. mark — a grade
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. rock — music

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