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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: toast · pass · charge · plane · object · hide · mark · pitcher

  1. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  2. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  3. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  4. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  5. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  6. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  7. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  8. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  9. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  10. The ________________ took off on time.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. He is an ace ________________.
  13. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  18. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  19. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  22. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. object — an aim
  2. hide — animal skin
  3. mark — a trace
  4. object — a thing
  5. object — to protest
  6. mark — to pay attention
  7. toast — a drink to someone
  8. toast — bread
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. plane — an aircraft
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. pitcher — in baseball
  13. hide — to keep secret
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. charge — electricity
  17. plane — in geometry
  18. mark — a grade
  19. pass — a permit
  20. charge — a price
  21. hide — to keep secret
  22. toast — the most admired
  23. charge — in control
  24. plane — a tool

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