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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: mate · race · pass · leaves · bulb · ruler · jam · current

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  5. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  12. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. I've got to change the light ________________.
  18. The light ________________ burned out.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  24. Would you like some apricot ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. jam — in traffic
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. ruler — a monarch
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. current — happening now
  7. current — electric
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. current — of water
  12. race — a contest
  13. pass — a permit
  14. race — the arms race
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. mate — a friend
  17. bulb — for light
  18. bulb — for light
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. race — humankind
  21. mate — to breed
  22. mate — a partner
  23. jam — a tight spot
  24. jam — to spread on bread

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