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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: tube · nail · leaves · charge · key · arm · board · temple

  1. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  4. I'll be taking the ________________.
  5. The ________________ went through the wall.
  6. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  7. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  8. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  9. My father caught me by the ________________.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  12. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. When was this ________________ built?
  17. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  18. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  22. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  23. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  24. This piece is in a major ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — in a tire
  2. charge — in control
  3. temple — a place of worship
  4. tube — the underground
  5. nail — for a hammer
  6. board — to get on
  7. nail — for a hammer
  8. arm — part of the body
  9. arm — part of the body
  10. charge — a price
  11. nail — on a finger
  12. key — for a lock
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. arm — a part of something
  15. tube — a container
  16. temple — a place of worship
  17. board — a committee
  18. leaves — lets stay
  19. key — the most important part
  20. charge — electricity
  21. leaves — to go away
  22. temple — side of the head
  23. board — a flat piece
  24. key — in music

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