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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: snap · coach · pass · bass · charge · cabinet · suit · mug

  1. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  2. What do you think of the new ________________?
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.
  5. Where did you ________________ them?
  6. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  10. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  13. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  14. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  18. Have you met the new head ________________?
  19. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — ministers
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. pass — a permit
  4. snap — to snap out of it
  5. mug — to rob
  6. pass — to succeed
  7. suit — to fit
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. bass — low music
  10. cabinet — a cupboard
  11. charge — in control
  12. snap — to click
  13. mug — a cup
  14. mug — a face
  15. suit — in cards
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. snap — to speak sharply
  18. coach — a trainer
  19. coach — pulled by horses
  20. charge — electricity
  21. bass — the fish
  22. suit — clothes
  23. charge — a price
  24. coach — a trainer

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