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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 116 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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  3. The ________________ market has crashed.
  4. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  17. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. The spa offers ________________ extensions.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. rush — to hurry
  3. stock — shares
  4. lash — a whip stroke
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. capital — money
  7. pass — a permit
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. capital — a big letter
  10. stock — goods
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. lie — to recline
  13. charge — electricity
  14. ruler — a monarch
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. capital — a city
  17. pass — to spend time
  18. charge — a price
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. rush — hurry
  22. stock — a soup base
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. lash — an eyelash

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