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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.

Make a worksheet

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
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Word bank
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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. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  4. Professor Sir Peter Hirsch formerly held the ________________.
  5. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  6. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  7. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  10. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  17. You don't need to ________________ round.
  18. How do you ________________ your surname?
  19. I put the bag on or beside the ________________.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. We're almost out of ________________.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. James Baker serves as an Honorary Co-________________ for the World Justice Project.

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

Answer key

  1. stick — to attach or keep to
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. spell — magic
  4. chair — a professorship
  5. pop — music
  6. spell — a short time
  7. scale — size or range
  8. charge — electricity
  9. scale — for weighing
  10. calf — a young animal
  11. scale — in music
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. charge — in control
  14. calf — of the leg
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. pop — to visit
  18. spell — letters
  19. chair — to sit on
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. pop — soda
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. charge — a price
  24. chair — a leader

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