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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: pass · fan · suit · leaves · lean · sharp · present · tube

  1. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  2. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  5. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  6. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  11. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  12. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  13. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. I'll be taking the ________________.
  17. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  18. It's one o'clock ________________.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — a container
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. leaves — lets stay
  5. tube — in a tire
  6. sharp — clever
  7. suit — clothes
  8. pass — a permit
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. sharp — with an edge
  11. present — the time now
  12. present — there
  13. lean — to bend
  14. lean — thin
  15. suit — in cards
  16. tube — the underground
  17. leaves — to go away
  18. sharp — exactly
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. suit — to fit
  21. present — a gift
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. lean — to rest against

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