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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.

Words on the sheet
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: pass · rest · fan · current · roll · nail · bay · key

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  20. This piece is in a major ________________.
  21. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  22. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. I would like to have a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. rest — what's left
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. key — for a lock
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. roll — a cake
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. roll — a list
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. nail — for a hammer
  11. current — of water
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. bay — to keep at bay
  14. key — the most important part
  15. pass — a permit
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. current — happening now
  18. current — electric
  19. nail — on a finger
  20. key — in music
  21. rest — what's left
  22. bay — a part of the sea
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. rest — a break

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