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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. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. When will it ________________ you to start?
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. My stomach aches so much that I can't ________________ asleep.
  6. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  7. In the ________________, covers are put over the fans in trains.
  8. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  9. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  10. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. He who climbs up, will ________________ down.
  20. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  21. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  22. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?

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

Answer key

  1. march — the month
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. suit — to fit
  4. suit — clothes
  5. fall — to drop
  6. march — the month
  7. fall — the season
  8. board — a committee
  9. pass — a permit
  10. board — to get on
  11. current — electric
  12. current — of water
  13. can — a tin
  14. can — to be able to
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. fan — a supporter
  17. current — happening now
  18. can — a tin
  19. fall — to drop
  20. suit — in cards
  21. fan — to cool the air
  22. march — music
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. fan — a supporter

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