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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
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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: date · fine · charge · key · lie · cabinet · lean · bowl

  1. The tickets are free of ________________.
  2. A ________________ is a sweet brown fruit from a palm tree.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  7. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  8. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  9. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  10. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  11. Have you settled on a ________________?
  12. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  13. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  14. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  15. This piece is in a major ________________.
  16. Why do cosmetics have an expiration ________________?
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  20. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  21. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — a price
  2. date — the fruit
  3. charge — in control
  4. bowl — a dish
  5. key — the most important part
  6. bowl — to roll
  7. fine — all right
  8. fine — high quality
  9. lean — to rest against
  10. fine — a penalty
  11. date — on the calendar
  12. bowl — a football final
  13. lie — to recline
  14. cabinet — a cupboard
  15. key — in music
  16. date — on the calendar
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. lie — an untruth
  20. lean — to bend
  21. lean — thin
  22. key — for a lock
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. charge — electricity

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