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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. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  8. Did you ________________ the meat?
  9. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  10. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  11. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  12. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  13. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  16. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  17. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. Have you found your soul ________________?
  21. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  22. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  23. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  24. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?

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

Answer key

  1. season — of the year
  2. charge — in control
  3. drill — the tool
  4. charge — a price
  5. safe — out of danger
  6. object — an aim
  7. track — a song
  8. season — to add flavour
  9. safe — a strongbox
  10. season — in sport
  11. rock — a stone
  12. drill — a practice
  13. track — a path
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. rock — to move gently
  16. object — a thing
  17. drill — army training
  18. mate — a friend
  19. charge — electricity
  20. mate — a partner
  21. track — to keep track
  22. mate — to breed
  23. object — to protest
  24. rock — 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