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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. There's no middle ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. She's very handy with a ________________.
  6. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. I've got to change the light ________________.
  9. I'll be taking the ________________.
  10. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. He works in a ________________ mill.
  14. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  15. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  16. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Add some ________________ pepper to it.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — a position
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. can — a tin
  5. saw — the tool
  6. lash — a whip stroke
  7. can — a tin
  8. bulb — for light
  9. tube — the underground
  10. ground — the earth
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. bulb — for light
  13. saw — the tool
  14. saw — past of 'see'
  15. mark — a trace
  16. tube — a container
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. mark — a grade
  19. tube — in a tire
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. can — to be able to
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. pass — a permit
  24. ground — crushed

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