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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 120 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. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  3. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. He's taking a ________________ right now.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. We took cover from the thunder ________________.
  9. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  10. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  11. David sat on the ________________.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  15. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  16. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  17. That must've been a ________________.
  18. The dagger's metal was presumably from the same meteor ________________.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  21. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  24. What do you think of the new ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. racket — a loud noise
  3. swing — music
  4. charge — electricity
  5. shower — to wash
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. shower — rain
  9. firm — decided
  10. firm — steady
  11. swing — to play on
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. charge — a price
  14. swing — in golf
  15. racket — for tennis
  16. rush — hurry
  17. rush — a thrill
  18. shower — a meteor shower
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. racket — for tennis
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. firm — a company
  24. cabinet — ministers

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