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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. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. What do you think of the new ________________?
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  10. That must've been a ________________.
  11. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. How do you ________________ your surname?
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. pass — a permit
  3. rash — on the skin
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. cabinet — ministers
  6. can — a tin
  7. cabinet — ministers
  8. can — a tin
  9. rush — hurry
  10. rush — a thrill
  11. cabinet — a cupboard
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. board — a committee
  14. spell — letters
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. board — to get on
  17. can — to be able to
  18. rash — hasty
  19. spell — a short time
  20. bound — certain
  21. bound — obliged
  22. bound — tied together
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. rash — a series

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