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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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  5. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  12. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  13. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  14. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  15. He is an ace ________________.
  16. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  19. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  22. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  23. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  24. He had ________________ pain while walking.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. current — happening now
  3. current — of water
  4. deal — an agreement
  5. pass — a permit
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. march — the month
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. march — the month
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. deal — a big deal
  12. calf — a young animal
  13. march — music
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. pitcher — in baseball
  16. snap — to speak sharply
  17. deal — to handle
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. current — electric
  21. snap — to snap out of it
  22. snap — to click
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. calf — of the leg

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