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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. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. My mare is ________________ in color.
  7. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  10. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  11. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  14. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  19. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  20. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. fine — a penalty
  4. rest — what's left
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. bay — a horse colour
  7. shower — rain
  8. fine — high quality
  9. rest — a break
  10. bass — the instrument
  11. prune — the fruit
  12. pass — a permit
  13. prune — to trim
  14. shower — to wash
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. bay — to keep at bay
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. shower — a meteor shower
  19. prune — to trim
  20. bass — low music
  21. bass — the fish
  22. fine — all right
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. rest — what's left

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