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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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  3. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  4. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  5. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  6. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  7. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  8. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  9. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  16. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  17. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  21. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  24. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. current — happening now
  3. mouse — for a computer
  4. scale — size or range
  5. branch — a division
  6. branch — of a tree
  7. pass — a permit
  8. pitch — a sales talk
  9. fine — all right
  10. current — electric
  11. scale — in music
  12. current — of water
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. charge — a price
  15. fine — a penalty
  16. pass — to spend time
  17. pass — to succeed
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. charge — electricity
  20. pitch — a sports field
  21. mouse — the animal
  22. fine — high quality
  23. branch — of a bank
  24. pitch — completely

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