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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 116 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 always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  10. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  20. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  23. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. leaves — lets stay
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. pass — a permit
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. track — a song
  8. track — a path
  9. rush — to hurry
  10. staff — a stick
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. staff — employees
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. perch — the fish
  16. track — to keep track
  17. fall — to drop
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. fall — to drop
  20. staff — employees
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. fall — the season
  23. perch — for a bird
  24. rush — hurry

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