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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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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: stand · sharp · bulb · track · pass · trunk · bay · wax

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  3. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  4. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  7. My mare is ________________ in color.
  8. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  9. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. I've got to change the light ________________.
  14. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  17. The light ________________ burned out.
  18. It's one o'clock ________________.
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  21. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. stand — on your feet
  3. track — a path
  4. trunk — of a tree
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. wax — in the ear
  7. bay — a horse colour
  8. sharp — clever
  9. trunk — of a car
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. bulb — for light
  14. wax — to grow
  15. pass — a permit
  16. track — to keep track
  17. bulb — for light
  18. sharp — exactly
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. sharp — with an edge
  21. wax — for sculpting
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. stand — to bear
  24. track — a song

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