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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. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. Don't do anything ________________.
  6. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. That was ________________ to happen.
  9. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  10. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  14. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  15. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. Did you ________________ the meat?
  18. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  22. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  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 — a price
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. rash — a series
  5. rash — hasty
  6. calf — of the leg
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. bound — certain
  9. leaves — of a tree
  10. hide — animal skin
  11. charge — in control
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. bound — tied together
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. bound — obliged
  16. charge — electricity
  17. season — to add flavour
  18. rock — a stone
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. season — in sport
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. hide — to keep secret
  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