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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: fine · key · lash · board · charge · pit · cell · coach

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. This piece is in a major ________________.
  3. Each ________________ is a complete and highly sophisticated living world in its own right.
  4. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  5. The tickets are free of ________________.
  6. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. Have you met the new head ________________?
  11. He was locked up in a ________________.
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  14. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  15. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  16. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  17. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  18. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  19. Oh no! I wasn't paying attention and left my ________________ phone in the restaurant!
  20. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  21. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. key — in music
  3. cell — in biology
  4. lash — an eyelash
  5. charge — a price
  6. key — the most important part
  7. charge — electricity
  8. coach — a trainer
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. coach — a trainer
  11. cell — in a prison
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. board — to get on
  14. pit — a hole
  15. coach — pulled by horses
  16. board — a flat piece
  17. fine — high quality
  18. board — a committee
  19. cell — a phone
  20. fine — a penalty
  21. key — for a lock
  22. pit — in a race
  23. fine — all right
  24. lash — to lash out

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