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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. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. The ________________ went through the wall.
  24. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the instrument
  2. suit — clothes
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. cue — a signal
  6. nail — for a hammer
  7. suit — to fit
  8. season — in sport
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. cue — a hint
  13. nail — on a finger
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. pass — a permit
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. season — of the year
  19. bass — low music
  20. suit — in cards
  21. cue — for pool
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. nail — for a hammer
  24. bass — the fish

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