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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 120 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. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  3. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  6. It's one o'clock ________________.
  7. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  8. My father caught me by the ________________.
  9. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. arm — part of the body
  3. fine — all right
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. arm — a part of something
  6. sharp — exactly
  7. mug — a cup
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. wave — with your hand
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. wave — of the sea
  12. suit — to fit
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. suit — in cards
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. pass — a permit
  17. fine — high quality
  18. mug — to rob
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. sharp — clever
  21. sharp — with an edge
  22. mug — a face
  23. suit — clothes
  24. pass — to succeed

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