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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  3. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  4. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  5. How do you ________________ your surname?
  6. I can't ________________ this cold.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  9. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. My mare is ________________ in color.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  24. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. spell — a short time
  3. trunk — of an elephant
  4. stand — for spectators
  5. spell — letters
  6. stand — to bear
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. trunk — of a tree
  9. craft — boats
  10. key — for a lock
  11. trunk — of a car
  12. pass — a permit
  13. bay — a horse colour
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. key — the most important part
  16. craft — a skill
  17. key — in music
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. spell — magic
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. craft — a handicraft
  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