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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 ball hit the back of the ________________.
  3. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  4. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  5. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  17. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  18. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  19. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  20. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  21. The ________________ market has crashed.
  22. I can't ________________ this cold.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. net — in sport
  3. wound — an injury
  4. cabinet — a cupboard
  5. stand — for spectators
  6. charge — in control
  7. charge — a price
  8. pass — a permit
  9. can — to be able to
  10. stock — goods
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. wound — an injury
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. net — for catching
  15. can — a tin
  16. stand — on your feet
  17. wound — past of 'wind'
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. can — a tin
  20. net — after costs
  21. stock — shares
  22. stand — to bear
  23. charge — electricity
  24. cabinet — ministers

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