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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.

Make a worksheet

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 tickets are free of ________________.
  3. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  6. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. The ________________ took off on time.
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. My mare is ________________ in color.
  11. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  12. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  22. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. charge — a price
  3. firm — decided
  4. key — in music
  5. firm — steady
  6. bay — to keep at bay
  7. fine — all right
  8. plane — an aircraft
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. bay — a horse colour
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. fan — to cool the air
  13. key — for a lock
  14. charge — electricity
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. key — the most important part
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. bay — a part of the sea
  20. fine — high quality
  21. plane — in geometry
  22. safe — out of danger
  23. firm — a company
  24. plane — a tool

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