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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: charge · plane · rest · bay · chip · rash · nail · suit

  1. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  2. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  3. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  4. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. The ________________ took off on time.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  9. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  10. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  11. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. When will it ________________ you to start?
  16. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Don't do anything ________________.
  23. My mare is ________________ in color.
  24. I would like to have a ________________ here.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — on a finger
  2. rest — what's left
  3. plane — in geometry
  4. bay — a part of the sea
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. plane — an aircraft
  7. suit — in cards
  8. bay — to keep at bay
  9. rash — a series
  10. plane — a tool
  11. suit — clothes
  12. chip — to eat
  13. nail — for a hammer
  14. charge — a price
  15. suit — to fit
  16. chip — for betting
  17. charge — in control
  18. rest — what's left
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. chip — in a computer
  21. charge — electricity
  22. rash — hasty
  23. bay — a horse colour
  24. rest — a break

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