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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 116 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: rash · pass · shower · plane · charge · object · leaves · bulb

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  5. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. Don't do anything ________________.
  8. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  9. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  12. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  13. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  14. The ________________ took off on time.
  15. The light ________________ burned out.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  20. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  21. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. The train ________________ at six o'clock.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. rash — a series
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. pass — to spend time
  5. object — an aim
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. rash — hasty
  8. pass — to succeed
  9. leaves — lets stay
  10. object — to protest
  11. pass — a permit
  12. plane — a tool
  13. shower — rain
  14. plane — an aircraft
  15. bulb — for light
  16. charge — electricity
  17. charge — a price
  18. bulb — for light
  19. shower — a meteor shower
  20. shower — to wash
  21. rash — on the skin
  22. object — a thing
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. leaves — to go away

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