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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 kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  2. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  3. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  4. How can I extract the audio from a video ________________?
  5. Hold the papers together with a ________________.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. That must've been a ________________.
  8. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  9. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  10. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  11. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  15. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. It seems a cruel thing to ________________ a bird's wings.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  21. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — for weighing
  2. scale — size or range
  3. wave — of the sea
  4. clip — a video
  5. clip — for paper
  6. rock — a stone
  7. rush — a thrill
  8. wave — with your hand
  9. rock — to move gently
  10. face — to point toward
  11. face — part of the head
  12. charge — a price
  13. charge — in control
  14. wave — a sudden rise
  15. scale — in music
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. clip — to cut
  18. rock — music
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. stick — a piece of wood
  21. rush — hurry
  22. charge — electricity
  23. face — to confront
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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