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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. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  2. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  6. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  7. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  8. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  9. What do you think of the new ________________?
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  12. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  15. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  20. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  21. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  22. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  23. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  24. We were using a ________________ as a seat.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — low music
  2. cabinet — ministers
  3. charge — electricity
  4. charge — in control
  5. bay — to keep at bay
  6. rock — to move gently
  7. leaves — lets stay
  8. leaves — to go away
  9. cabinet — ministers
  10. bear — the animal
  11. bass — the instrument
  12. rock — music
  13. charge — a price
  14. rule — government
  15. cabinet — a cupboard
  16. bass — the fish
  17. rule — to rule out
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. bear — the animal
  20. bay — a part of the sea
  21. bear — to put up with
  22. leaves — of a tree
  23. rule — a law
  24. rock — a stone

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