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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. Beijing is the ________________ of China.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  9. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  10. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  13. The beginning of a sentence starts with a ________________ letter.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. What do you think of the new ________________?
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  20. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  21. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  24. A second agreement was made due to the large amount of available ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. jam — in traffic
  2. charge — in control
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. stick — a piece of wood
  5. charge — a price
  6. capital — a city
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. cabinet — ministers
  9. bowl — a football final
  10. stick — to attach or keep to
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. bowl — to roll
  13. capital — a big letter
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. lie — to recline
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. cabinet — ministers
  18. charge — electricity
  19. jam — a tight spot
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. cabinet — a cupboard
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. bowl — a dish
  24. capital — money

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