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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 120 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: hide · pass · ground · dip · fall · prune · rock · coach

  1. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  2. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  5. Have you met the new head ________________?
  6. There's no middle ________________.
  7. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  10. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  11. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  12. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  19. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  23. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  24. Add some ________________ pepper to it.

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

Answer key

  1. ground — the earth
  2. fall — the season
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. coach — a trainer
  6. ground — a position
  7. dip — a sauce
  8. pass — a permit
  9. dip — to sink
  10. prune — to trim
  11. coach — a trainer
  12. hide — to keep secret
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. prune — to trim
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. rock — music
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. dip — to dunk
  19. prune — the fruit
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. rock — a stone
  22. fall — to drop
  23. fall — to drop
  24. ground — crushed

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