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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 116 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: suit · stock · ball · fine · bass · rest · charge · chip

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  3. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  4. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  5. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  8. The ________________ market has crashed.
  9. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  10. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  13. The King held a masked ________________.
  14. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  15. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  16. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  17. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  20. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. The kitten curled into a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. bass — low music
  3. fine — all right
  4. suit — clothes
  5. stock — goods
  6. charge — a price
  7. rest — what's left
  8. stock — shares
  9. chip — for betting
  10. ball — a great time
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. rest — a break
  13. ball — a dance
  14. chip — in a computer
  15. fine — high quality
  16. bass — the instrument
  17. rest — what's left
  18. bass — the fish
  19. suit — in cards
  20. stock — a soup base
  21. charge — electricity
  22. chip — to eat
  23. suit — to fit
  24. ball — a round shape

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