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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: roll · fan · mug · object · pass · mate · suit · mine

  1. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  8. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  9. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  10. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  11. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  14. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  15. We're on a ________________ here.
  16. Have you found your soul ________________?
  17. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — in cards
  2. object — a thing
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. mine — belonging to me
  5. mug — a cup
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. mate — to breed
  8. mine — an explosive
  9. roll — a list
  10. fan — a supporter
  11. object — an aim
  12. mug — to rob
  13. roll — a cake
  14. suit — clothes
  15. roll — on a roll
  16. mate — a partner
  17. mine — for digging
  18. mate — a friend
  19. object — to protest
  20. mug — a face
  21. suit — to fit
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. pass — a permit
  24. pass — to succeed

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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