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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. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  10. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  11. My mare is ________________ in color.
  12. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  13. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  16. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  21. There's no middle ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  24. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. snap — to speak sharply
  4. current — electric
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. pass — a permit
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. ground — crushed
  10. snap — to click
  11. bay — a horse colour
  12. club — for golf
  13. club — for dancing
  14. current — happening now
  15. bass — the fish
  16. cabinet — a cupboard
  17. current — of water
  18. bass — low music
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. snap — to snap out of it
  21. ground — a position
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. bass — the instrument
  24. club — a group

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