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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. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  6. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  10. The light ________________ burned out.
  11. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  12. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  13. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  14. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  17. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  18. Did you ________________ the meat?
  19. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  20. I've got to change the light ________________.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. charge — electricity
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. deal — a big deal
  6. deal — to handle
  7. charge — in control
  8. bank — of a river
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. bulb — for light
  11. racket — a loud noise
  12. toast — the most admired
  13. jam — to spread on bread
  14. toast — bread
  15. bank — for money
  16. deal — an agreement
  17. season — of the year
  18. season — to add flavour
  19. toast — a drink to someone
  20. bulb — for light
  21. charge — a price
  22. racket — for tennis
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. season — in sport

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