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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  3. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  4. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  5. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  6. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  7. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  8. Did you ________________ the button?
  9. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  14. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  15. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.
  16. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  17. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. press — newspapers
  3. current — electric
  4. press — a publisher
  5. fan — a supporter
  6. craft — a handicraft
  7. craft — a skill
  8. press — to push
  9. board — a committee
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. fine — all right
  12. craft — boats
  13. chair — to sit on
  14. fine — a penalty
  15. chair — a leader
  16. chair — a professorship
  17. fan — to cool the air
  18. fine — high quality
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. current — of water
  21. pass — a permit
  22. board — to get on
  23. current — happening now
  24. pass — to succeed

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