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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: deal · pass · date · mug · trunk · chip · can · mark

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  3. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  9. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  10. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  11. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  12. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  13. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  14. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Have you settled on a ________________?
  17. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  18. Where did you ________________ them?
  19. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  20. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  21. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  22. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  23. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  24. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. mark — to pay attention
  3. date — on the calendar
  4. mark — a trace
  5. mark — a grade
  6. can — a tin
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. deal — an agreement
  9. trunk — of a tree
  10. date — the fruit
  11. can — to be able to
  12. deal — a big deal
  13. deal — to handle
  14. trunk — of an elephant
  15. can — a tin
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. mug — a face
  18. mug — to rob
  19. pass — to succeed
  20. mug — a cup
  21. chip — to eat
  22. pass — a permit
  23. trunk — of a car
  24. chip — for betting

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