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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 120 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. Have you met the new head ________________?
  2. That must've been a ________________.
  3. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  6. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  7. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  8. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  9. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  13. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  20. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  21. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  22. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  23. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. coach — a trainer
  2. rush — a thrill
  3. stick — to attach or keep to
  4. charge — in control
  5. chip — for betting
  6. chip — to eat
  7. bass — low music
  8. rush — hurry
  9. coach — pulled by horses
  10. charge — a price
  11. charge — electricity
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. track — to keep track
  14. mark — a grade
  15. rush — to hurry
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. bass — the fish
  19. mark — a trace
  20. chip — in a computer
  21. track — a song
  22. mark — to pay attention
  23. track — a path
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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