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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. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  2. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  3. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  16. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  17. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  18. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  19. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  22. My mare is ________________ in color.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bay — to keep at bay
  2. present — the time now
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. current — of water
  6. march — music
  7. current — electric
  8. bowl — to roll
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. lean — thin
  12. lean — to rest against
  13. current — happening now
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. lean — to bend
  16. march — the month
  17. march — the month
  18. present — there
  19. present — a gift
  20. pass — a permit
  21. bowl — a football final
  22. bay — a horse colour
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. bowl — a dish

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