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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
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: lie · key · object · toast · pitch · jam · dip · charge

  1. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  3. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  6. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  7. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  8. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  9. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  14. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  15. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  16. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  17. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  18. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. The tickets are free of ________________.
  24. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. toast — a drink to someone
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. charge — electricity
  5. jam — a tight spot
  6. pitch — completely
  7. jam — to spread on bread
  8. key — the most important part
  9. toast — the most admired
  10. object — to protest
  11. key — for a lock
  12. key — in music
  13. object — an aim
  14. dip — to dunk
  15. pitch — a sports field
  16. dip — to sink
  17. lie — an untruth
  18. dip — a sauce
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. lie — to recline
  21. toast — bread
  22. charge — in control
  23. charge — a price
  24. pitch — a sales talk

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