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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: scale · key · charge · fork · track · chip · spring · pass

  1. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  2. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  3. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  4. This piece is in a major ________________.
  5. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  6. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  7. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  8. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  9. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  10. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  11. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  12. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  13. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  14. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  15. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  18. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  19. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  23. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a path
  2. fork — in a road
  3. chip — in a computer
  4. key — in music
  5. scale — size or range
  6. spring — of water
  7. scale — in music
  8. charge — electricity
  9. pass — to spend time
  10. key — for a lock
  11. chip — to eat
  12. track — to keep track
  13. pass — to succeed
  14. key — the most important part
  15. spring — the season
  16. chip — for betting
  17. fork — to eat with
  18. track — a song
  19. fork — a garden tool
  20. pass — a permit
  21. charge — a price
  22. scale — for weighing
  23. spring — a coil
  24. charge — in control

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