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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 tickets are free of ________________.
  2. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  5. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  11. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  14. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  15. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  21. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  22. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  23. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — a price
  2. deal — to handle
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. lie — an untruth
  5. safe — a strongbox
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. charge — electricity
  8. track — a song
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. lie — to recline
  11. spring — the season
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. deal — a big deal
  14. spring — of water
  15. track — to keep track
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. cue — for pool
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. cue — a signal
  20. spring — a coil
  21. leaves — lets stay
  22. track — a path
  23. cue — a hint
  24. charge — in control

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