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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: firm · pit · charge · trunk · suit · date · face · pass

  1. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  4. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  7. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  8. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  9. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  10. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  13. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  14. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. Have you settled on a ________________?
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. face — to point toward
  2. charge — a price
  3. pit — a fruit stone
  4. trunk — of an elephant
  5. charge — electricity
  6. face — part of the head
  7. pit — in a race
  8. trunk — of a tree
  9. firm — steady
  10. pass — to spend time
  11. suit — in cards
  12. firm — decided
  13. pit — a hole
  14. date — on the calendar
  15. pass — a permit
  16. suit — clothes
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. suit — to fit
  19. date — on the calendar
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. face — to confront
  22. date — the fruit
  23. firm — a company
  24. charge — in control

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