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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. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. Don't do anything ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. It's one o'clock ________________.
  12. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  21. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. suit — clothes
  3. bowl — to roll
  4. sharp — clever
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. rash — hasty
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. suit — to fit
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. sharp — exactly
  12. lean — to bend
  13. rock — a stone
  14. rash — a series
  15. pass — a permit
  16. sharp — with an edge
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. rock — music
  20. rash — on the skin
  21. lean — to rest against
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. lean — thin
  24. pass — to spend time

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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