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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: rush · pass · can · suit · swing · ball · current · cabinet

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  5. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. David sat on the ________________.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  19. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  20. That must've been a ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  23. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  24. You can't go backstage without a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. ball — a great time
  3. can — to be able to
  4. rush — to hurry
  5. suit — in cards
  6. current — happening now
  7. suit — to fit
  8. swing — in golf
  9. current — electric
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. rush — hurry
  12. can — a tin
  13. ball — a dance
  14. swing — to play on
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. pass — to succeed
  19. current — of water
  20. rush — a thrill
  21. can — a tin
  22. suit — clothes
  23. swing — music
  24. pass — a permit

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