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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. We're on a ________________ here.
  5. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  6. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  20. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  23. It's one o'clock ________________.
  24. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. toast — bread
  3. suit — in cards
  4. roll — on a roll
  5. toast — a drink to someone
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. stand — to bear
  9. stick — a piece of wood
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. stand — on your feet
  12. suit — to fit
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. suit — clothes
  15. roll — a cake
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. roll — a list
  20. sharp — clever
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. stand — for spectators
  23. sharp — exactly
  24. stick — to attach or keep to

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