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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 · bay · bank · pit · current · cap · rash · can

  1. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  7. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  15. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  16. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  17. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  24. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. pit — a hole
  4. pit — in a race
  5. rash — hasty
  6. can — to be able to
  7. cap — a hat
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. current — of water
  10. pass — a permit
  11. cap — of ice
  12. can — a tin
  13. current — electric
  14. cap — a lid
  15. can — a tin
  16. rash — on the skin
  17. bank — for money
  18. current — happening now
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. bank — for money
  23. bank — of a river
  24. pass — to succeed

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