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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: pass · rush · season · squash · bay · current · plane · board

  1. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  4. Did you ________________ the meat?
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  10. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  14. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  15. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. The ________________ took off on time.
  20. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. pass — to succeed
  4. season — to add flavour
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. season — of the year
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. rush — hurry
  9. squash — the vegetable
  10. board — a flat piece
  11. current — happening now
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. squash — the sport
  14. rush — to hurry
  15. squash — to crush
  16. current — of water
  17. pass — a permit
  18. board — a committee
  19. plane — an aircraft
  20. board — to get on
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. season — in sport
  23. plane — a tool
  24. bay — a part of the sea

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