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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.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: charge · scale · can · straw · file · bay · bound · rest

  1. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  2. It always has to be a ________________ man with them.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. That was ________________ to happen.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  9. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  10. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  13. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  14. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  15. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. A drowning man will clutch at a ________________.
  20. The goat rested comfortably on a soft bed of ________________.
  21. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  22. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. scale — in music
  2. straw — a straw man
  3. can — a tin
  4. bound — certain
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. charge — electricity
  7. can — a tin
  8. rest — what's left
  9. file — a document
  10. bay — to keep at bay
  11. bound — tied together
  12. bound — obliged
  13. rest — what's left
  14. file — a tool
  15. scale — size or range
  16. can — to be able to
  17. scale — for weighing
  18. charge — a price
  19. straw — to clutch at straws
  20. straw — dry grass
  21. rest — a break
  22. file — a line of people
  23. charge — in control
  24. bay — a horse colour

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