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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. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  4. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  5. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  6. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  7. I've got to change the light ________________.
  8. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  12. When will it ________________ you to start?
  13. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  17. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. Have you settled on a ________________?
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. foot — a measure
  2. pass — a permit
  3. date — the fruit
  4. date — on the calendar
  5. snap — to snap out of it
  6. foot — the bottom
  7. bulb — for light
  8. snap — to click
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. bulb — for light
  11. season — in sport
  12. suit — to fit
  13. season — of the year
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. mug — a face
  17. snap — to speak sharply
  18. suit — clothes
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. suit — in cards
  22. mug — to rob
  23. date — on the calendar
  24. mug — a cup

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