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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. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  4. She's very handy with a ________________.
  5. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  11. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  12. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  15. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. He works in a ________________ mill.
  18. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  22. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  23. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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. scale — in music
  4. saw — the tool
  5. stand — on your feet
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. charge — electricity
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. kick — in football
  11. scale — size or range
  12. lie — to recline
  13. stand — to bear
  14. mark — a grade
  15. saw — past of 'see'
  16. mark — a trace
  17. saw — the tool
  18. scale — for weighing
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. kick — with a leg
  22. kick — a thrill
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. mark — to pay attention

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