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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. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  8. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  9. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  10. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. Did you ________________ the meat?
  13. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  14. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  17. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  18. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  19. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  20. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. deal — a big deal
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. rest — a break
  5. can — a tin
  6. rest — what's left
  7. season — of the year
  8. season — in sport
  9. pit — a hole
  10. deal — an agreement
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. season — to add flavour
  13. pit — in a race
  14. nail — on a finger
  15. can — a tin
  16. cap — a hat
  17. deal — to handle
  18. nail — for a hammer
  19. cap — of ice
  20. cap — a lid
  21. charge — electricity
  22. charge — a price
  23. can — to be able to
  24. rest — what's left

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