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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  6. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  7. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  8. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  9. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  10. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  13. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  18. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  19. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  20. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. staff — employees
  3. deal — a big deal
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. file — a line of people
  6. squash — the sport
  7. squash — the vegetable
  8. cue — a hint
  9. file — a tool
  10. jam — in traffic
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. cue — a signal
  13. squash — to crush
  14. staff — a stick
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. staff — employees
  18. jam — a tight spot
  19. file — a document
  20. jam — to spread on bread
  21. deal — to handle
  22. pass — a permit
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. cue — for pool

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