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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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  6. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  7. Have you met the new head ________________?
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. He works in a ________________ mill.
  10. She's very handy with a ________________.
  11. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  19. My mare is ________________ in color.
  20. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  21. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  22. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  23. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. rest — what's left
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. rock — music
  5. saw — past of 'see'
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. saw — the tool
  10. saw — the tool
  11. object — to protest
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. charge — in control
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. rest — a break
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. charge — a price
  18. object — an aim
  19. bay — a horse colour
  20. coach — pulled by horses
  21. mouse — for a computer
  22. object — a thing
  23. rest — what's left
  24. charge — electricity

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