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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: cabinet · pass · rash · wake · jam · present · stick · ground

  1. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  2. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  5. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  6. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  7. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  13. There's no middle ________________.
  14. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  15. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  21. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  24. Add some ________________ pepper to it.

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

Answer key

  1. present — the time now
  2. ground — the earth
  3. rash — a series
  4. jam — in traffic
  5. wake — a trail
  6. present — a gift
  7. wake — before a funeral
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. pass — a permit
  13. ground — a position
  14. jam — to spread on bread
  15. jam — a tight spot
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. rash — on the skin
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. wake — to stop sleeping
  21. present — there
  22. rash — hasty
  23. cabinet — a cupboard
  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