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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. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  7. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  13. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  14. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. When will it ________________ you to start?
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. Don't do anything ________________.
  20. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — size or range
  2. pass — a permit
  3. rash — a series
  4. suit — clothes
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. rule — to rule out
  7. mark — a grade
  8. suit — in cards
  9. charge — a price
  10. plane — a tool
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. scale — in music
  13. rule — a law
  14. pass — to spend time
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. suit — to fit
  17. mark — a trace
  18. charge — electricity
  19. rash — hasty
  20. mark — to pay attention
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. charge — in control
  23. rule — government
  24. scale — for weighing

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