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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: jam · charge · track · race · last · temple · safe · mug

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. False peace will not ________________.
  3. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  4. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  5. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  6. Where did you ________________ them?
  7. Winning one ________________ isn't the same as dominating a sport.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Only by prohibiting all nuclear weapons, we can together stop the arms ________________.
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. Atomic bombs are a danger to the human ________________.
  20. When was this ________________ built?
  21. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  22. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. last — to go on
  3. jam — to spread on bread
  4. track — a song
  5. temple — side of the head
  6. mug — to rob
  7. race — a contest
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. race — the arms race
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. mug — a cup
  12. last — final
  13. last — finally
  14. track — to keep track
  15. track — a path
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. jam — a tight spot
  18. charge — a price
  19. race — humankind
  20. temple — a place of worship
  21. temple — a place of worship
  22. jam — in traffic
  23. charge — electricity
  24. mug — a face

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