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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 party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  2. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  3. I felt an uncomfortable tightness in my ________________.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  6. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  7. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  11. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. The lid of the ________________ creaked open.
  14. She laid her head on my ________________ so she could listen to my heartbeat.
  15. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  16. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. Don't do anything ________________.
  19. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  20. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — a series
  2. stand — for spectators
  3. chest — of your body
  4. staff — employees
  5. staff — a stick
  6. safe — a strongbox
  7. safe — out of danger
  8. charge — a price
  9. charge — electricity
  10. branch — a division
  11. staff — employees
  12. stand — to bear
  13. chest — a box
  14. chest — of your body
  15. branch — of a bank
  16. jam — to spread on bread
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. rash — hasty
  19. branch — of a tree
  20. charge — in control
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. stand — on your feet

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