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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. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. My mare is ________________ in color.
  10. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  11. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  21. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  22. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  23. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  24. It's one o'clock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. cue — a signal
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. cue — for pool
  6. charge — a price
  7. fine — a penalty
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. bay — a horse colour
  10. toast — a drink to someone
  11. toast — the most admired
  12. fine — high quality
  13. sharp — with an edge
  14. toast — bread
  15. cue — a hint
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. fine — all right
  18. trunk — of an elephant
  19. charge — electricity
  20. trunk — of a tree
  21. sharp — clever
  22. leaves — to go away
  23. bay — a part of the sea
  24. sharp — exactly

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