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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: dip · ruler · pass · suit · bear · charge · current · ball

  1. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  2. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  3. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  4. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. When will it ________________ you to start?
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  10. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  14. The King held a masked ________________.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — to put up with
  2. dip — to dunk
  3. current — happening now
  4. current — of water
  5. charge — electricity
  6. suit — to fit
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. ball — a round shape
  10. ruler — a monarch
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. charge — a price
  13. dip — to sink
  14. ball — a dance
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. suit — in cards
  17. pass — a permit
  18. bear — the animal
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. suit — clothes
  21. bear — the animal
  22. current — electric
  23. charge — in control
  24. ball — a great time

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