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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.

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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 · cue · board · ground · firm · coach · leaves

  1. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  2. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  3. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  4. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  5. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  9. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  10. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  11. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  12. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  13. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. Have you met the new head ________________?
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  18. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  19. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  20. There's no middle ________________.
  21. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  22. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  23. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  24. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — of a tree
  2. coach — pulled by horses
  3. ground — the earth
  4. jam — a tight spot
  5. jam — to spread on bread
  6. charge — in control
  7. charge — a price
  8. cue — for pool
  9. firm — a company
  10. leaves — to go away
  11. leaves — lets stay
  12. board — a committee
  13. firm — steady
  14. cue — a hint
  15. coach — a trainer
  16. charge — electricity
  17. firm — decided
  18. board — a flat piece
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. ground — a position
  21. board — to get on
  22. cue — a signal
  23. ground — crushed
  24. jam — in traffic

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