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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: track · pass · charge · plane · key · rush · suit · craft

  1. This piece is in a major ________________.
  2. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  6. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  7. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  20. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  21. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  22. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.

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

Answer key

  1. key — in music
  2. pass — to succeed
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. rush — hurry
  6. key — for a lock
  7. rush — to hurry
  8. charge — electricity
  9. charge — a price
  10. plane — a tool
  11. key — the most important part
  12. craft — boats
  13. suit — clothes
  14. pass — a permit
  15. suit — in cards
  16. track — a song
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. suit — to fit
  19. track — a path
  20. craft — a handicraft
  21. charge — in control
  22. plane — in geometry
  23. track — to keep track
  24. craft — a skill

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