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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.

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: season · stick · leaves · charge · temple · spring · key · mark

  1. When was this ________________ built?
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  4. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  5. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  6. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  7. This piece is in a major ________________.
  8. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  9. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  10. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  11. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  12. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  15. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  16. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  21. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  22. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.

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

Answer key

  1. temple — a place of worship
  2. charge — electricity
  3. spring — the season
  4. mark — a trace
  5. spring — a coil
  6. leaves — of a tree
  7. key — in music
  8. key — for a lock
  9. stick — to attach or keep to
  10. temple — side of the head
  11. mark — a grade
  12. temple — a place of worship
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. stick — a piece of wood
  15. key — the most important part
  16. spring — of water
  17. charge — a price
  18. season — in sport
  19. charge — in control
  20. leaves — to go away
  21. stick — a piece of wood
  22. season — of the year
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. mark — to pay attention

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