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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: toast · cue · dip · lash · rest · jam · pass · stand

  1. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  4. I can't ________________ this cold.
  5. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  15. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — to lash out
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. toast — the most admired
  4. stand — to bear
  5. jam — to spread on bread
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. rest — what's left
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. stand — on your feet
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. cue — a hint
  13. dip — to sink
  14. toast — a drink to someone
  15. cue — a signal
  16. pass — a permit
  17. cue — for pool
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. rest — what's left
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. rest — a break
  23. toast — bread
  24. lash — an eyelash

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