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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 120 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.

Make a worksheet

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: foot · charge · temple · face · chip · pitcher · coach · stand

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  3. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  4. Have you met the new head ________________?
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  10. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  13. I can't ________________ this cold.
  14. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  18. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  19. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  20. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  21. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  22. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  23. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  24. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. chip — in a computer
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. coach — a trainer
  5. charge — electricity
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. temple — side of the head
  8. charge — a price
  9. stand — for spectators
  10. face — to confront
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. face — part of the head
  13. stand — to bear
  14. chip — to eat
  15. face — to point toward
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. foot — part of the body
  19. stand — on your feet
  20. chip — for betting
  21. foot — a measure
  22. foot — the bottom
  23. pitcher — a jug
  24. coach — pulled by horses

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