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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 120 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: spell · game · hide · charge · mug · firm · coach · pass

  1. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  9. That was a fun ________________.
  10. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  11. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  12. Where did you ________________ them?
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  18. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  19. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  20. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. How do you ________________ your surname?
  23. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. charge — electricity
  3. coach — a trainer
  4. pass — a permit
  5. spell — magic
  6. firm — a company
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. hide — to keep secret
  9. game — a match
  10. coach — pulled by horses
  11. firm — steady
  12. mug — to rob
  13. charge — a price
  14. game — a kind of play
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. charge — in control
  17. spell — a short time
  18. hide — to keep secret
  19. hide — animal skin
  20. game — wild animals
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. spell — letters
  23. firm — decided
  24. mug — a face

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