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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  2. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  3. I'll be taking the ________________.
  4. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  5. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  11. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. board — a committee
  2. fine — a penalty
  3. tube — the underground
  4. current — happening now
  5. board — to get on
  6. current — electric
  7. can — a tin
  8. fine — high quality
  9. current — of water
  10. tube — a container
  11. tube — in a tire
  12. can — a tin
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. board — a flat piece
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. fine — all right
  17. can — to be able to
  18. pass — a permit

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