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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: net · straw · calf · pass · root · bowl · mate · suit

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  4. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  5. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  8. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  9. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  10. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  11. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. When will it ________________ you to start?
  15. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  16. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  17. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  18. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  19. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  20. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  24. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. suit — in cards
  3. net — in sport
  4. straw — to clutch at straws
  5. suit — clothes
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. straw — a straw man
  8. mate — to breed
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. net — for catching
  11. bowl — a football final
  12. pass — a permit
  13. mate — a friend
  14. suit — to fit
  15. straw — dry grass
  16. calf — a young animal
  17. root — the cause
  18. root — of a plant
  19. calf — of the leg
  20. net — after costs
  21. mate — a partner
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. root — of a word
  24. bowl — a dish

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