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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
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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 · stick · hide · spell · wake · drill · row · temple

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  7. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. How do you ________________ your surname?
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  14. When was this ________________ built?
  15. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  16. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  17. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  18. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  19. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  20. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  21. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  24. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. spell — magic
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. drill — army training
  6. row — a line
  7. temple — a place of worship
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. wake — to stop sleeping
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. spell — letters
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. drill — a practice
  14. temple — a place of worship
  15. wake — a trail
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. temple — side of the head
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. drill — the tool
  20. wake — before a funeral
  21. row — a quarrel
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. pass — a permit
  24. spell — a short time

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