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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 120 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. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  3. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. This piece is in a major ________________.
  6. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  7. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  8. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  9. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  10. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  14. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  15. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  21. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  22. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  23. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. perch — for a bird
  3. stick — a piece of wood
  4. pass — a permit
  5. key — in music
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. perch — the fish
  8. club — for dancing
  9. club — a group
  10. branch — of a tree
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. mark — a grade
  13. mark — to pay attention
  14. key — for a lock
  15. branch — a division
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. club — for golf
  18. key — the most important part
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. branch — of a bank
  21. mark — a trace
  22. bass — the fish
  23. bass — low music
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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