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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. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  5. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  6. The King held a masked ________________.
  7. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  11. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  12. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  21. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. cap — a hat
  3. mug — a face
  4. pass — to succeed
  5. ball — a great time
  6. ball — a dance
  7. rash — on the skin
  8. charge — a price
  9. staff — employees
  10. staff — employees
  11. cue — a signal
  12. cue — for pool
  13. charge — electricity
  14. ball — a round shape
  15. pass — a permit
  16. mug — to rob
  17. charge — in control
  18. cap — of ice
  19. cue — a hint
  20. staff — a stick
  21. rash — a series
  22. rash — hasty
  23. cap — a lid
  24. mug — a cup

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