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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  6. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  7. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  11. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. When was this ________________ built?
  14. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  15. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  18. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  19. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  20. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  21. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  22. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  23. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  24. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. can — a tin
  3. charge — electricity
  4. pit — a hole
  5. racket — for tennis
  6. temple — side of the head
  7. pit — a fruit stone
  8. charge — a price
  9. can — a tin
  10. pound — a weight
  11. racket — for tennis
  12. track — to keep track
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. pit — in a race
  15. arm — part of the body
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. track — a path
  18. can — to be able to
  19. arm — a part of something
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. racket — a loud noise
  22. pound — to hit hard
  23. pound — for dogs
  24. track — a song

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