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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: pop · bowl · lash · charge · pass · bat · stand · plane

  1. You don't need to ________________ round.
  2. The ________________ hangs upside down in the cave.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  5. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  8. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  9. Tom didn't even ________________ an eye.
  10. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  11. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. We're almost out of ________________.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. I can't ________________ this cold.
  20. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. The ________________ was stolen yesterday, along with the balls.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. pop — to visit
  2. bat — the animal
  3. pass — a permit
  4. plane — in geometry
  5. pass — to spend time
  6. charge — in control
  7. stand — for spectators
  8. bowl — a dish
  9. bat — in an idiom
  10. bowl — to roll
  11. pop — music
  12. charge — a price
  13. pop — soda
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. plane — a tool
  19. stand — to bear
  20. bowl — a football final
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. bat — for baseball
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. charge — electricity

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