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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
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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: field · pass · charge · leaves · toast · bound · mug · fine

  1. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  4. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  7. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. That was ________________ to happen.

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

Answer key

  1. toast — a drink to someone
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. fine — high quality
  4. field — farmland
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. field — for sport
  7. field — a subject
  8. mug — to rob
  9. charge — in control
  10. mug — a cup
  11. bound — obliged
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. mug — a face
  14. fine — all right
  15. charge — electricity
  16. toast — the most admired
  17. pass — a permit
  18. bound — tied together
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. pass — to spend time
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. toast — bread
  23. charge — a price
  24. bound — certain

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