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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: leaves · pop · key · charge · pass · rest · cue · nail

  1. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. The ________________ went through the wall.
  4. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  5. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  6. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. You don't need to ________________ round.
  19. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  20. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  21. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  22. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. We're almost out of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — on a finger
  2. charge — in control
  3. nail — for a hammer
  4. cue — a hint
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. cue — for pool
  7. charge — electricity
  8. key — in music
  9. rest — what's left
  10. charge — a price
  11. key — for a lock
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. rest — a break
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. pass — a permit
  18. pop — to visit
  19. rest — what's left
  20. cue — a signal
  21. pop — music
  22. key — the most important part
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. pop — soda

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