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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  3. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  4. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  5. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  6. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  7. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  11. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  14. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  18. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  21. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. foot — the bottom
  3. bore — to drill
  4. clip — to cut
  5. mug — a face
  6. clip — for paper
  7. foot — part of the body
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. bore — to tire
  10. racket — for tennis
  11. clip — a video
  12. charge — a price
  13. jam — in traffic
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. mark — a trace
  17. racket — a loud noise
  18. jam — to spread on bread
  19. mug — a cup
  20. foot — a measure
  21. mark — a grade
  22. mug — to rob
  23. charge — electricity
  24. bore — gave birth

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