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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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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: rest · pass · bound · rock · last · chip · perch · cabinet

  1. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  2. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  3. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  4. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  7. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  8. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  9. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  23. False peace will not ________________.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. rest — what's left
  3. perch — for a bird
  4. perch — for a bird
  5. rest — a break
  6. chip — for betting
  7. bound — tied together
  8. last — finally
  9. rock — a stone
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. chip — to eat
  13. bound — obliged
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. perch — the fish
  16. bound — certain
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. pass — a permit
  19. rock — music
  20. cabinet — a cupboard
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. last — final
  23. last — to go on
  24. rock — to move gently

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