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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. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  14. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  19. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  24. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. straw — to clutch at straws
  4. mark — a trace
  5. board — a committee
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. current — happening now
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. straw — a straw man
  10. pass — a permit
  11. leaves — to go away
  12. charge — electricity
  13. mark — a grade
  14. leaves — of a tree
  15. current — of water
  16. bank — for money
  17. bank — of a river
  18. charge — in control
  19. pass — to spend time
  20. board — to get on
  21. bank — for money
  22. charge — a price
  23. mark — to pay attention
  24. straw — dry grass

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