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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
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: mug · rest · pass · key · current · present · rush · toast

  1. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  3. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  4. That must've been a ________________.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  7. Where did you ________________ them?
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  10. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  11. This piece is in a major ________________.
  12. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  13. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  14. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. rush — hurry
  3. rush — to hurry
  4. rush — a thrill
  5. mug — a face
  6. pass — a permit
  7. mug — to rob
  8. toast — bread
  9. present — there
  10. rest — what's left
  11. key — in music
  12. key — the most important part
  13. present — the time now
  14. rest — a break
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. rest — what's left
  17. current — electric
  18. toast — the most admired
  19. current — happening now
  20. pass — to succeed
  21. key — for a lock
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. current — of water
  24. present — a gift

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