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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  6. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. I'll be taking the ________________.
  9. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  10. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  14. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  15. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  19. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  20. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  21. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  22. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Boris sat near the fire ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. pit — in a race
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. craft — boats
  6. tube — a container
  7. lie — to recline
  8. tube — the underground
  9. pit — a fruit stone
  10. prune — the fruit
  11. charge — electricity
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. pass — a permit
  14. prune — to trim
  15. tube — in a tire
  16. charge — a price
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. pass — to spend time
  19. prune — to trim
  20. lash — to lash out
  21. craft — a handicraft
  22. craft — a skill
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. pit — a hole

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