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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  9. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  10. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. That was ________________ to happen.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  19. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  20. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  21. The light ________________ burned out.
  22. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. pit — in a race
  3. pit — a hole
  4. bulb — of a plant
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. ball — a dance
  7. pass — a permit
  8. stick — a piece of wood
  9. bound — obliged
  10. key — the most important part
  11. bound — tied together
  12. bulb — for light
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. bound — certain
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. key — for a lock
  17. key — in music
  18. pit — a fruit stone
  19. ball — a great time
  20. ball — a round shape
  21. bulb — for light
  22. stick — a piece of wood
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. rush — hurry

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