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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: pop · foot · charge · key · pass · scale · track · toast

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  5. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  6. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  7. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. We're almost out of ________________.
  10. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  11. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  12. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  13. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  14. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  15. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  16. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  19. You don't need to ________________ round.
  20. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  21. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  22. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. key — in music
  3. charge — electricity
  4. pass — a permit
  5. pass — to succeed
  6. track — a path
  7. key — for a lock
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. pop — soda
  10. pop — music
  11. foot — part of the body
  12. track — a song
  13. scale — for weighing
  14. track — to keep track
  15. toast — a drink to someone
  16. key — the most important part
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. foot — a measure
  19. pop — to visit
  20. scale — in music
  21. toast — bread
  22. scale — size or range
  23. charge — in control
  24. charge — a price

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