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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 120 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. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  2. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  16. That must've been a ________________.
  17. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  18. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  22. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  23. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

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

Answer key

  1. pound — for dogs
  2. pound — a weight
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. trunk — of a tree
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. trunk — of an elephant
  8. rush — hurry
  9. pound — to hit hard
  10. charge — in control
  11. charge — electricity
  12. wound — an injury
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. charge — a price
  15. mark — a grade
  16. rush — a thrill
  17. wound — past of 'wind'
  18. mark — to pay attention
  19. pass — a permit
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. trunk — of a car
  22. mark — a trace
  23. wound — an injury
  24. deal — to handle

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