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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.

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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: pass · wax · wake · charge · content · suit · lean · deal

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  8. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  16. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  17. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  18. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  19. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  20. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  21. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  22. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. suit — in cards
  3. wax — to grow
  4. charge — electricity
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. deal — to handle
  7. suit — clothes
  8. lean — thin
  9. charge — a price
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. suit — to fit
  12. charge — in control
  13. lean — to rest against
  14. pass — a permit
  15. content — the amount
  16. content — videos and posts
  17. wax — in the ear
  18. wake — to stop sleeping
  19. lean — to bend
  20. content — happy
  21. wake — a trail
  22. deal — a big deal
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. wax — for sculpting

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