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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  8. Have you found your soul ________________?
  9. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. When are we going to ________________?
  12. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  13. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  17. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  18. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. I've got to change the light ________________.
  23. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. race — a contest
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. land — a country
  6. bulb — for light
  7. drill — army training
  8. mate — a partner
  9. race — the arms race
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. land — to come down
  12. drill — a practice
  13. land — ground
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. pass — a permit
  16. mate — to breed
  17. drill — the tool
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. bulb — for light
  23. race — humankind
  24. mate — a friend

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