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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. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  2. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  5. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  6. Have you found your soul ________________?
  7. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  8. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  9. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  14. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  20. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. mate — a friend
  2. mate — to breed
  3. charge — a price
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. leaves — of a tree
  6. mate — a partner
  7. lash — to lash out
  8. mouse — for a computer
  9. key — for a lock
  10. charge — in control
  11. lash — an eyelash
  12. key — in music
  13. lash — a whip stroke
  14. object — a thing
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. key — the most important part
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. object — an aim
  20. can — a tin
  21. charge — electricity
  22. can — a tin
  23. object — to protest
  24. can — to be able to

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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