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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: season · charge · bound · pass · bay · bowl · cap · cabinet

  1. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  2. Did you ________________ the meat?
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  7. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  8. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  9. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  10. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  22. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. season — in sport
  2. season — to add flavour
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. bound — certain
  5. cap — a lid
  6. bowl — a football final
  7. cap — of ice
  8. pass — a permit
  9. bound — tied together
  10. bowl — a dish
  11. bound — obliged
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. cap — a hat
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. bowl — to roll
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. bay — a part of the sea
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. season — of the year
  20. charge — a price
  21. pass — to spend time
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. charge — electricity
  24. charge — in control

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