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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. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  22. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.

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

Answer key

  1. mark — to pay attention
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. mug — to rob
  4. pitch — a sports field
  5. mark — a grade
  6. charge — electricity
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. mug — a face
  9. staff — a stick
  10. charge — in control
  11. suit — in cards
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. staff — employees
  14. key — in music
  15. mug — a cup
  16. suit — clothes
  17. mark — a trace
  18. suit — to fit
  19. key — the most important part
  20. charge — a price
  21. staff — employees
  22. pitch — a sales talk
  23. key — for a lock
  24. pitch — completely

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