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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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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: arm · charge · cue · staff · court · fan · fine · jam

  1. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  4. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  9. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  12. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  13. My father caught me by the ________________.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. The ball is in your ________________.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. fine — a penalty
  2. charge — in control
  3. court — of a king
  4. staff — employees
  5. cue — a hint
  6. jam — in traffic
  7. charge — electricity
  8. arm — a part of something
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. staff — a stick
  12. fine — high quality
  13. arm — part of the body
  14. cue — for pool
  15. court — for sport
  16. fine — all right
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. staff — employees
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. court — of law
  22. charge — a price
  23. cue — a signal
  24. jam — a tight spot

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