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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. The tickets are free of ________________.
  2. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  3. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  6. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. The King held a masked ________________.
  9. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  10. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  11. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  16. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  17. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  18. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  19. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  20. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  21. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  22. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — a price
  2. stick — a piece of wood
  3. calf — of the leg
  4. charge — in control
  5. track — a song
  6. stick — a piece of wood
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. ball — a dance
  9. mug — a cup
  10. ball — a round shape
  11. ball — a great time
  12. track — to keep track
  13. mug — to rob
  14. charge — electricity
  15. chip — to eat
  16. chip — in a computer
  17. chip — for betting
  18. track — a path
  19. object — to protest
  20. object — a thing
  21. mug — a face
  22. calf — a young animal
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. object — an aim

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