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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  5. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  12. Have you settled on a ________________?
  13. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  14. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  15. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  16. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  20. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  24. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. face — part of the head
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. suit — in cards
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. suit — to fit
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. current — electric
  11. face — to confront
  12. date — on the calendar
  13. date — the fruit
  14. face — to point toward
  15. toast — the most admired
  16. toast — a drink to someone
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. current — happening now
  19. lash — an eyelash
  20. lash — a whip stroke
  21. toast — bread
  22. current — of water
  23. rush — hurry
  24. suit — clothes

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