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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. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  2. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  7. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  10. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  11. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  24. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. drill — army training
  2. drill — the tool
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. drill — a practice
  6. coach — a trainer
  7. wound — past of 'wind'
  8. pass — a permit
  9. rock — music
  10. suit — clothes
  11. wound — an injury
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. wound — an injury
  19. rock — a stone
  20. suit — to fit
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. suit — in cards
  23. rock — to move gently
  24. mouse — the animal

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