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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: leaves · club · bay · foot · present · charge · suit · field

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  3. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  4. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. My partner was ________________ at the birth of our baby.
  7. When will it ________________ you to start?
  8. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.
  9. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  10. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  11. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  12. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  13. Actually, the ________________ method has plenty of room for improvement.
  14. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  15. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  16. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  19. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  20. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  21. My mare is ________________ in color.
  22. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  23. Did you get a birthday ________________ for him this year?
  24. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. suit — in cards
  3. bay — to keep at bay
  4. club — for golf
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. present — there
  7. suit — to fit
  8. field — farmland
  9. foot — part of the body
  10. field — for sport
  11. leaves — of a tree
  12. suit — clothes
  13. present — the time now
  14. charge — electricity
  15. foot — a measure
  16. leaves — to go away
  17. charge — a price
  18. club — for dancing
  19. field — a subject
  20. foot — the bottom
  21. bay — a horse colour
  22. club — a group
  23. present — a gift
  24. leaves — lets stay

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