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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.

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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.

Words on the sheet
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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: wake · drill · pit · current · bay · board · mark · charge

  1. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  8. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  9. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  16. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  17. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  18. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  21. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  22. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. We had a fire ________________ at school today.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — a grade
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. current — of water
  4. current — electric
  5. drill — the tool
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. board — a committee
  8. drill — army training
  9. pit — a fruit stone
  10. charge — in control
  11. bay — a part of the sea
  12. charge — electricity
  13. wake — before a funeral
  14. charge — a price
  15. pit — a hole
  16. board — to get on
  17. wake — a trail
  18. pit — in a race
  19. current — happening now
  20. mark — a trace
  21. mark — to pay attention
  22. wake — to stop sleeping
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. drill — a practice

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