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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. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  7. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  8. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  11. That must've been a ________________.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The ball hit the back of the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. net — for catching
  4. bulb — for light
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. mouse — for a computer
  8. net — after costs
  9. rush — hurry
  10. rush — to hurry
  11. rush — a thrill
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. mark — a trace
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. bulb — of a plant
  17. bulb — for light
  18. mark — a grade
  19. pit — in a race
  20. pit — a hole
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. pass — a permit
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. net — in sport

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