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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 116 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 cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  2. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  3. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  6. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. When will it ________________ you to start?
  12. The King held a masked ________________.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  15. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  16. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  17. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  18. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  21. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  22. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  23. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  24. A black ________________ roamed the forest.

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

Answer key

  1. suit — clothes
  2. track — a path
  3. ruler — a monarch
  4. charge — a price
  5. ball — a round shape
  6. staff — employees
  7. charge — electricity
  8. pound — a weight
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. staff — employees
  11. suit — to fit
  12. ball — a dance
  13. charge — in control
  14. bear — to put up with
  15. pound — for dogs
  16. track — a song
  17. ruler — for measuring
  18. pound — to hit hard
  19. suit — in cards
  20. ball — a great time
  21. bear — the animal
  22. staff — a stick
  23. track — to keep track
  24. bear — the animal

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