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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  5. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  9. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  10. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  11. We will have lived in Kyoto for eight years next ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. The band played a military ________________ at the parade.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  19. His birthday is in either ________________ or April.
  20. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  21. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  22. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Let us try to swim against the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. fan — a supporter
  3. current — happening now
  4. bank — for money
  5. current — electric
  6. pass — a permit
  7. suit — to fit
  8. bank — for money
  9. bank — of a river
  10. suit — in cards
  11. march — the month
  12. charge — electricity
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. march — music
  15. charge — a price
  16. wake — before a funeral
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. wake — to stop sleeping
  19. march — the month
  20. fan — to cool the air
  21. fan — a supporter
  22. wake — a trail
  23. suit — clothes
  24. current — of water

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