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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: rest · craft · charge · drill · fine · leaves · trunk · scale

  1. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  2. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  6. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  7. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  8. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. Flower arranging is a traditional ________________ in Japan.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  15. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  16. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  17. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  18. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  19. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  20. He spent years learning his ________________ as a carpenter.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Small ________________ should stay in the harbor during the storm.
  23. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  24. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.

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

Answer key

  1. rest — what's left
  2. drill — army training
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. fine — all right
  5. rest — what's left
  6. leaves — lets stay
  7. scale — for weighing
  8. trunk — of a car
  9. charge — in control
  10. craft — a handicraft
  11. charge — electricity
  12. trunk — of a tree
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. scale — size or range
  15. rest — a break
  16. scale — in music
  17. fine — a penalty
  18. drill — a practice
  19. trunk — of an elephant
  20. craft — a skill
  21. charge — a price
  22. craft — boats
  23. drill — the tool
  24. fine — high quality

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