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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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468
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 · game · bore · mouse · dip · stand · pass · current

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  8. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. I can't ________________ this cold.
  15. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  16. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  19. That was a fun ________________.
  20. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  21. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  22. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  23. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  24. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. pass — a permit
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. current — happening now
  7. bore — gave birth
  8. mouse — the animal
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. dip — a sauce
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. current — electric
  14. stand — to bear
  15. bore — to drill
  16. game — a kind of play
  17. current — of water
  18. game — wild animals
  19. game — a match
  20. stand — on your feet
  21. bore — to tire
  22. dip — to sink
  23. toast — bread
  24. toast — the most admired

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