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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: foot · rash · safe · mouse · charge · scale · stick · chip

  1. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  4. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  5. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  6. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  7. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  13. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  14. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  15. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  16. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  17. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Don't do anything ________________.
  22. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  23. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  24. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — electricity
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. foot — a measure
  4. rash — on the skin
  5. stick — a piece of wood
  6. scale — size or range
  7. chip — in a computer
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. charge — in control
  12. chip — to eat
  13. scale — in music
  14. rash — a series
  15. foot — the bottom
  16. stick — to attach or keep to
  17. stick — a piece of wood
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. mouse — for a computer
  20. charge — a price
  21. rash — hasty
  22. chip — for betting
  23. foot — part of the body
  24. scale — for weighing

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