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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. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  2. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  3. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  7. Have you found your soul ________________?
  8. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. We're on a ________________ here.
  13. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  17. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  22. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. roll — a list
  2. pit — a hole
  3. pit — in a race
  4. rock — music
  5. can — a tin
  6. can — a tin
  7. mate — a partner
  8. rock — a stone
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. charge — electricity
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. roll — on a roll
  13. rock — to move gently
  14. toast — bread
  15. charge — a price
  16. mate — a friend
  17. toast — a drink to someone
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. roll — a cake
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. mate — to breed
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. can — to be able to
  24. charge — in control

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