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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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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: toast · pass · wave · net · mug · leaves · suit · hand

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  3. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. When will it ________________ you to start?
  6. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  18. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  21. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. net — after costs
  3. toast — a drink to someone
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. suit — to fit
  6. hand — part of the body
  7. suit — clothes
  8. pass — a permit
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. mug — to rob
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. hand — in cards
  14. suit — in cards
  15. mug — a face
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. net — for catching
  18. leaves — of a tree
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. hand — help
  21. net — in sport
  22. toast — bread
  23. mug — a cup
  24. wave — of the sea

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