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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. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  5. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  6. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  7. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  10. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  11. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  15. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  18. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  19. How do you ________________ your surname?
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  23. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. wake — before a funeral
  2. charge — in control
  3. spell — magic
  4. bass — the instrument
  5. spell — a short time
  6. bass — the fish
  7. cap — a hat
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. cap — of ice
  10. wave — of the sea
  11. mark — a trace
  12. charge — electricity
  13. charge — a price
  14. bass — low music
  15. wave — a sudden rise
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. wake — to stop sleeping
  18. pass — a permit
  19. spell — letters
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. mark — a grade
  22. wave — with your hand
  23. cap — a lid
  24. wake — a trail

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