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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 train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  4. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  5. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  9. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. Have you met the new head ________________?
  13. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  14. What do you think of the new ________________?
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  23. That must've been a ________________.
  24. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. object — an aim
  3. present — the time now
  4. present — a gift
  5. pit — in a race
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. object — to protest
  9. present — there
  10. rash — hasty
  11. object — a thing
  12. coach — a trainer
  13. coach — a trainer
  14. cabinet — ministers
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. pit — a hole
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. rush — to hurry
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. rash — on the skin
  21. rush — hurry
  22. pit — a fruit stone
  23. rush — a thrill
  24. rash — a series

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