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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: leaves · ruler · hide · saw · row · pass · mug · craft

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. She's very handy with a ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. He works in a ________________ mill.
  6. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  11. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  14. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  15. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  16. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  17. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  18. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. We have nothing to ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. saw — the tool
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. saw — the tool
  6. mug — a face
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. row — to paddle
  9. mug — to rob
  10. craft — boats
  11. hide — animal skin
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. row — a quarrel
  14. mug — a cup
  15. craft — a handicraft
  16. craft — a skill
  17. row — a line
  18. ruler — for measuring
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. saw — past of 'see'
  22. pass — a permit
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. hide — to keep secret

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