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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 · charge · nail · club · pass · leaves · pit · scale

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  5. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  6. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  9. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  10. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  11. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  12. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  13. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  14. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  15. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  18. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  19. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. We're almost out of ________________.
  22. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  23. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  24. You don't need to ________________ round.

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. pass — a permit
  3. charge — a price
  4. nail — for a hammer
  5. pop — music
  6. leaves — to go away
  7. charge — in control
  8. leaves — lets stay
  9. pass — to succeed
  10. club — for dancing
  11. pit — in a race
  12. pass — to spend time
  13. pit — a hole
  14. club — for golf
  15. leaves — of a tree
  16. scale — size or range
  17. scale — in music
  18. nail — on a finger
  19. pit — a fruit stone
  20. charge — electricity
  21. pop — soda
  22. club — a group
  23. scale — for weighing
  24. pop — to visit

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