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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.

Make a worksheet

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: hide · leaves · track · bear · toast · mug · pass · scale

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  5. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  6. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  7. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  8. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  11. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  12. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Where did you ________________ them?
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  19. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  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. scale — in music
  2. toast — bread
  3. pass — a permit
  4. track — to keep track
  5. bear — the animal
  6. hide — to keep secret
  7. bear — to put up with
  8. track — a path
  9. mug — a cup
  10. scale — size or range
  11. toast — a drink to someone
  12. leaves — to go away
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. mug — to rob
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. track — a song
  17. mug — a face
  18. scale — for weighing
  19. bear — the animal
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. pass — to succeed

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