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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: lash · roll · spring · pit · toast · pass · bowl · season

  1. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  5. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. We're on a ________________ here.
  10. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  16. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  20. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  21. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. spring — of water
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. bowl — a football final
  5. toast — the most admired
  6. season — of the year
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. roll — on a roll
  10. lash — to lash out
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. spring — a coil
  13. toast — bread
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. lash — a whip stroke
  16. spring — the season
  17. roll — a cake
  18. season — in sport
  19. pit — in a race
  20. pit — a hole
  21. pit — a fruit stone
  22. pass — a permit
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. bowl — to roll

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