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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
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: pass · charge · mark · spell · rash · rush · bass · can

  1. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. How do you ________________ your surname?
  24. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — magic
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. can — a tin
  5. rash — hasty
  6. charge — in control
  7. rash — a series
  8. can — to be able to
  9. mark — a grade
  10. bass — the fish
  11. pass — a permit
  12. rash — on the skin
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. charge — electricity
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. mark — to pay attention
  17. mark — a trace
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. bass — low music
  20. rush — hurry
  21. spell — a short time
  22. charge — a price
  23. spell — letters
  24. can — a tin

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