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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 120 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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  3. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  11. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  12. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  19. Did you ________________ the meat?
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. fine — all right
  3. season — in sport
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. face — to confront
  7. mug — to rob
  8. face — part of the head
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. lean — to bend
  11. lean — thin
  12. season — of the year
  13. rash — hasty
  14. fine — high quality
  15. face — to point toward
  16. rash — a series
  17. charge — a price
  18. mug — a cup
  19. season — to add flavour
  20. pass — a permit
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. mug — a face
  23. charge — electricity
  24. charge — in control

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