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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: row · toast · court · charge · pound · bound · leaves · cue

  1. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  2. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  6. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  7. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  8. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  9. The ball is in your ________________.
  10. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  11. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  16. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  17. That was ________________ to happen.
  18. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  19. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  20. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  21. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  22. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. The ________________ change colour in autumn.

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

Answer key

  1. row — to paddle
  2. leaves — to go away
  3. cue — a signal
  4. bound — obliged
  5. toast — bread
  6. pound — for dogs
  7. court — of a king
  8. court — of law
  9. court — for sport
  10. cue — a hint
  11. pound — a weight
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. charge — in control
  14. charge — electricity
  15. row — a quarrel
  16. cue — for pool
  17. bound — certain
  18. pound — to hit hard
  19. leaves — lets stay
  20. toast — the most admired
  21. row — a line
  22. bound — tied together
  23. charge — a price
  24. leaves — of a tree

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