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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: toast · safe · firm · fan · pass · temple · spell · charge

  1. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  2. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  7. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  8. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  11. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  12. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  13. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  16. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  17. When was this ________________ built?
  18. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  19. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  20. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  21. How do you ________________ your surname?
  22. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  23. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  24. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — a permit
  2. safe — a strongbox
  3. charge — in control
  4. spell — a short time
  5. charge — a price
  6. fan — a supporter
  7. pass — to spend time
  8. toast — a drink to someone
  9. firm — a company
  10. firm — decided
  11. temple — side of the head
  12. spell — magic
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. charge — electricity
  15. fan — a supporter
  16. toast — bread
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. toast — the most admired
  20. firm — steady
  21. spell — letters
  22. pass — to succeed
  23. fan — to cool the air
  24. temple — a place of worship

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