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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.

Make a worksheet

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: coach · suit · scale · fine · mate · rush · hand · charge

  1. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  2. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  3. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  4. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  5. That must've been a ________________.
  6. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  7. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  8. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  9. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  10. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. The tickets are free of ________________.
  16. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  19. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  22. Have you found your soul ________________?
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?

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

Answer key

  1. hand — in cards
  2. hand — help
  3. coach — pulled by horses
  4. mate — to breed
  5. rush — a thrill
  6. suit — clothes
  7. fine — high quality
  8. hand — part of the body
  9. coach — a trainer
  10. fine — all right
  11. charge — in control
  12. scale — for weighing
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. charge — a price
  16. suit — in cards
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. rush — hurry
  19. scale — in music
  20. charge — electricity
  21. scale — size or range
  22. mate — a partner
  23. suit — to fit
  24. mate — a friend

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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