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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. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  8. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  9. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  10. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  11. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  12. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  18. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  19. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. The King held a masked ________________.
  24. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. pass — a permit
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. charge — electricity
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. ball — a round shape
  8. fine — all right
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. fine — high quality
  11. clip — to cut
  12. mouse — for a computer
  13. board — to get on
  14. board — a committee
  15. clip — for paper
  16. charge — a price
  17. clip — a video
  18. bank — for money
  19. board — a flat piece
  20. ball — a great time
  21. bank — of a river
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. ball — a dance
  24. bank — for money

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