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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 116 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: bear · pass · suit · firm · rock · cabinet · spring · fall

  1. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  2. When will it ________________ you to start?
  3. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  8. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  11. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  12. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  13. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  14. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  15. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  19. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  23. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. spring — of water
  2. suit — to fit
  3. rock — to move gently
  4. pass — a permit
  5. bear — the animal
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. firm — a company
  8. fall — to drop
  9. firm — steady
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. spring — a coil
  12. bear — the animal
  13. suit — in cards
  14. spring — the season
  15. firm — decided
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. bear — to put up with
  19. fall — the season
  20. rock — music
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. fall — to drop
  23. rock — a stone
  24. suit — clothes

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