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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. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Where did you ________________ them?
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  6. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  7. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. The ________________ market has crashed.
  11. Did you ________________ the meat?
  12. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  17. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  18. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  21. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  22. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  23. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  24. He is an ace ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mug — a cup
  2. can — a tin
  3. mug — to rob
  4. charge — a price
  5. pit — a hole
  6. pitcher — a jug
  7. season — in sport
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. can — to be able to
  10. stock — shares
  11. season — to add flavour
  12. safe — out of danger
  13. charge — in control
  14. can — a tin
  15. charge — electricity
  16. season — of the year
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. stock — goods
  19. mug — a face
  20. safe — out of danger
  21. pit — a fruit stone
  22. safe — a strongbox
  23. pit — in a race
  24. pitcher — in baseball

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