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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: can · prune · pass · temple · bay · board · staff · charge

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  4. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  5. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  12. When was this ________________ built?
  13. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. My mare is ________________ in color.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  23. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. charge — electricity
  3. staff — employees
  4. temple — side of the head
  5. prune — to trim
  6. charge — a price
  7. prune — to trim
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. staff — a stick
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. board — a committee
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. prune — the fruit
  14. can — to be able to
  15. staff — employees
  16. charge — in control
  17. bay — a horse colour
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. pass — a permit
  20. board — to get on
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. bay — to keep at bay
  23. can — a tin
  24. pass — to succeed

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