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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. The tickets are free of ________________.
  2. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  7. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  14. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  15. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. Did you ________________ the button?
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — a price
  2. object — an aim
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. charge — electricity
  5. can — a tin
  6. press — a publisher
  7. object — to protest
  8. fine — high quality
  9. can — a tin
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. object — a thing
  12. mark — a grade
  13. cap — a lid
  14. cap — of ice
  15. cap — a hat
  16. mark — a trace
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. can — to be able to
  19. press — to push
  20. charge — in control
  21. press — newspapers
  22. pass — a permit
  23. fine — all right
  24. pass — to spend time

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