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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  6. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  7. Have you settled on a ________________?
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  14. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  15. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  16. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  17. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  18. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  19. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  22. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  23. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. can — a tin
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. date — on the calendar
  6. firm — decided
  7. date — on the calendar
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. charge — a price
  10. can — to be able to
  11. firm — a company
  12. charge — electricity
  13. staff — a stick
  14. fan — to cool the air
  15. firm — steady
  16. pass — a permit
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. staff — employees
  19. staff — employees
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. date — the fruit
  24. can — a tin

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