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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: face · key · pass · rule · leaves · charge · hide · temple

  1. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  2. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  5. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  9. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  14. This piece is in a major ________________.
  15. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  16. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  19. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  20. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  21. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  22. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  24. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.

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

Answer key

  1. rule — government
  2. temple — side of the head
  3. pass — a permit
  4. leaves — of a tree
  5. rule — a law
  6. charge — a price
  7. charge — electricity
  8. pass — to spend time
  9. hide — to keep secret
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. key — the most important part
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. temple — a place of worship
  14. key — in music
  15. pass — to succeed
  16. face — to confront
  17. charge — in control
  18. leaves — to go away
  19. face — to point toward
  20. face — part of the head
  21. hide — animal skin
  22. key — for a lock
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. rule — to rule out

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