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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. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. We're on a ________________ here.
  4. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  5. The King held a masked ________________.
  6. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  18. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — lets stay
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. roll — on a roll
  4. pound — a weight
  5. ball — a dance
  6. roll — a list
  7. charge — in control
  8. pound — for dogs
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. ball — a great time
  11. rush — hurry
  12. charge — electricity
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. pound — to hit hard
  15. pass — a permit
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. roll — a cake
  18. temple — a place of worship
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. rush — to hurry
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. leaves — of a tree
  24. charge — a price

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