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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. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  5. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  8. It's one o'clock ________________.
  9. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  17. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a trace
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. suit — clothes
  4. sharp — clever
  5. march — the month
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. rock — a stone
  8. sharp — exactly
  9. mark — to pay attention
  10. rock — music
  11. pass — a permit
  12. sharp — with an edge
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. rush — hurry
  15. current — happening now
  16. march — the month
  17. march — music
  18. suit — to fit
  19. suit — in cards
  20. current — electric
  21. current — of water
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. mark — a grade
  24. rush — to 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