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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 120 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: squash · charge · hand · mug · current · pass · scale · can

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  3. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  4. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  5. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  6. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  7. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  13. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  22. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  23. Where did you ________________ them?
  24. I'd like to play a game of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. scale — for weighing
  3. squash — the vegetable
  4. mug — a face
  5. hand — part of the body
  6. scale — in music
  7. can — a tin
  8. pass — a permit
  9. hand — help
  10. charge — in control
  11. scale — size or range
  12. pass — to succeed
  13. squash — to crush
  14. current — of water
  15. charge — electricity
  16. can — a tin
  17. mug — a cup
  18. current — electric
  19. charge — a price
  20. current — happening now
  21. can — to be able to
  22. hand — in cards
  23. mug — to rob
  24. squash — the sport

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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