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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. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  3. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  9. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  14. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. The ________________ took off on time.
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. plane — in geometry
  3. file — a tool
  4. pass — a permit
  5. charge — electricity
  6. track — to keep track
  7. cue — a signal
  8. object — a thing
  9. plane — a tool
  10. charge — a price
  11. deal — an agreement
  12. track — a song
  13. track — a path
  14. object — to protest
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. file — a line of people
  17. charge — in control
  18. file — a document
  19. cue — a hint
  20. object — an aim
  21. deal — a big deal
  22. cue — for pool
  23. plane — an aircraft
  24. deal — to handle

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