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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: stand · pass · toast · mate · current · rash · lie · season

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Did you ________________ the meat?
  4. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  5. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  6. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  7. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  14. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  19. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. Don't do anything ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. current — happening now
  3. season — to add flavour
  4. season — of the year
  5. rash — on the skin
  6. stand — on your feet
  7. current — of water
  8. season — in sport
  9. rash — a series
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. pass — to succeed
  12. current — electric
  13. mate — a friend
  14. mate — to breed
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. lie — to recline
  17. pass — a permit
  18. toast — bread
  19. stand — for spectators
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. mate — a partner
  23. stand — to bear
  24. rash — hasty

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