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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. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  4. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  8. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  9. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  10. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  15. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  18. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  19. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. mark — to pay attention
  4. wax — in the ear
  5. current — of water
  6. current — electric
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. spell — magic
  9. deal — a big deal
  10. spell — a short time
  11. current — happening now
  12. mark — a trace
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. deal — to handle
  15. wax — to grow
  16. spell — letters
  17. lie — to recline
  18. wax — for sculpting
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. mark — a grade
  23. pass — a permit
  24. deal — an agreement

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