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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 116 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 don't need to ________________ round.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  5. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  6. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  13. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  14. He is an ace ________________.
  15. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. We're almost out of ________________.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pop — to visit
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. suit — in cards
  4. pop — music
  5. season — of the year
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. suit — to fit
  10. rule — to rule out
  11. can — a tin
  12. rule — a law
  13. current — happening now
  14. pitcher — in baseball
  15. rule — government
  16. suit — clothes
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. can — a tin
  19. can — to be able to
  20. season — in sport
  21. pass — a permit
  22. current — electric
  23. pop — soda
  24. current — of water

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