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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 · net · perch · stem · wave · charge · bass · current

  1. The ball hit the back of the ________________.
  2. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  5. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  6. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  7. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  8. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  9. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  10. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. He took the fish out of the ________________.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  21. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  22. What was your ________________ profit last year?
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. net — in sport
  2. pass — to spend time
  3. current — of water
  4. wave — with your hand
  5. perch — for a bird
  6. perch — the fish
  7. pass — to succeed
  8. wave — a sudden rise
  9. bass — low music
  10. pass — a permit
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. net — for catching
  13. current — electric
  14. perch — for a bird
  15. charge — in control
  16. wave — of the sea
  17. charge — electricity
  18. stem — a stem cell
  19. current — happening now
  20. stem — to come from
  21. stem — of a plant
  22. net — after costs
  23. charge — a price
  24. bass — the fish

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