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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  4. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  5. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  6. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  11. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  12. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  13. He is an ace ________________.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. Don't do anything ________________.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  18. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  19. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  20. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  21. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  22. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. current — of water
  3. rash — a series
  4. kick — in football
  5. deal — to handle
  6. season — of the year
  7. current — happening now
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. charge — a price
  10. scale — for weighing
  11. rash — on the skin
  12. kick — a thrill
  13. pitcher — in baseball
  14. current — electric
  15. rash — hasty
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. kick — with a leg
  18. deal — an agreement
  19. pitcher — a jug
  20. scale — size or range
  21. season — in sport
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. charge — electricity
  24. scale — in music

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