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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. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Did you ________________ the meat?
  3. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  4. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  10. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  11. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  12. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  13. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  14. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  15. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  16. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  17. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  18. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  19. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  23. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  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. charge — in control
  2. season — to add flavour
  3. vault — a safe
  4. pit — in a race
  5. charge — electricity
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. vault — an arched ceiling
  10. vault — in gymnastics
  11. bank — for money
  12. current — electric
  13. current — of water
  14. leaves — lets stay
  15. season — of the year
  16. lie — an untruth
  17. pit — a fruit stone
  18. bank — of a river
  19. lie — to recline
  20. bank — for money
  21. charge — a price
  22. current — happening now
  23. pit — a hole
  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