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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. My mare is ________________ in color.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  13. When will it ________________ you to start?
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  16. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  17. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  20. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  21. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  22. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  23. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. deal — to handle
  3. bay — a horse colour
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. face — to confront
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. suit — in cards
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. face — to point toward
  13. suit — to fit
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. bay — a part of the sea
  16. pass — to succeed
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. fine — all right
  20. safe — a strongbox
  21. face — part of the head
  22. leaves — lets stay
  23. fine — high quality
  24. suit — clothes

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