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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. Don't do anything ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  22. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — hasty
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. bound — tied together
  4. pass — a permit
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. patient — a sick person
  7. rash — a series
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. rash — on the skin
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. bound — obliged
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. patient — calm and waiting
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. bound — certain
  21. bowl — a football final
  22. ruler — for measuring
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. bowl — a dish

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