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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.

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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: face · cabinet · snap · pass · leaves · root · bay · ball

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  17. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  18. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. root — of a plant
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. ball — a round shape
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. face — part of the head
  9. snap — to speak sharply
  10. face — to point toward
  11. ball — a great time
  12. ball — a dance
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. face — to confront
  15. pass — a permit
  16. snap — to snap out of it
  17. root — of a word
  18. bay — a part of the sea
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. root — the cause
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. cabinet — a cupboard
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. snap — to click

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