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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 124 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. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  2. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  3. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. When was this ________________ built?
  9. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  14. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  15. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  16. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  19. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. snap — to snap out of it
  2. bowl — a football final
  3. temple — side of the head
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. snap — to speak sharply
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. bore — gave birth
  10. suit — in cards
  11. bowl — a dish
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. leaves — to go away
  14. mate — a friend
  15. temple — a place of worship
  16. mate — to breed
  17. bore — to drill
  18. bore — to tire
  19. snap — to click
  20. suit — to fit
  21. bowl — to roll
  22. pass — a permit
  23. suit — clothes
  24. mate — a partner

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