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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 120 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
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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: file · scale · safe · charge · lie · stock · pass · key

  1. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  2. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  3. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  4. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  5. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  6. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  9. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. The ________________ market has crashed.
  12. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  13. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  14. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  15. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  16. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  17. This piece is in a major ________________.
  18. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  19. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  20. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  21. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. lie — to recline
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. key — the most important part
  4. file — a tool
  5. file — a document
  6. pass — to spend time
  7. charge — in control
  8. stock — a soup base
  9. scale — for weighing
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. stock — shares
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. key — for a lock
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. pass — a permit
  16. scale — size or range
  17. key — in music
  18. safe — out of danger
  19. scale — in music
  20. file — a line of people
  21. stock — goods
  22. charge — a price
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. charge — electricity

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