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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 116 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. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  6. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  7. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  11. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. The ________________ went through the wall.
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. pit — in a race
  2. can — to be able to
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. pit — a fruit stone
  6. nail — on a finger
  7. pit — a hole
  8. can — a tin
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. ball — a round shape
  11. rock — music
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. plane — a tool
  14. pass — a permit
  15. ball — a great time
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. can — a tin
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. ball — a dance
  21. nail — for a hammer
  22. rock — a stone
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. rock — to move gently

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