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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. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  6. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  7. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. Did you ________________ the meat?
  11. Have you met the new head ________________?
  12. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  17. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  18. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. stem — of a plant
  6. mark — a grade
  7. stock — goods
  8. stock — shares
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. season — to add flavour
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. season — in sport
  13. mark — a trace
  14. pass — a permit
  15. season — of the year
  16. stock — a soup base
  17. coach — pulled by horses
  18. stem — to come from
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. stem — a stem cell
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. ruler — a monarch
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. safe — out of danger

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