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

Word bank: pass · rest · jam · suit · snap · bay · stand · mate

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  4. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  5. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  6. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  7. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  10. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. My mare is ________________ in color.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Have you found your soul ________________?
  24. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. mate — a friend
  4. rest — what's left
  5. snap — to snap out of it
  6. jam — a tight spot
  7. rest — a break
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. mate — to breed
  10. snap — to speak sharply
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. snap — to click
  14. stand — to bear
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. bay — a horse colour
  17. suit — to fit
  18. suit — clothes
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. suit — in cards
  21. pass — a permit
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. mate — a partner
  24. rest — what's left

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