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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
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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: stand · tube · bass · key · deal · charge · jam · leaves

  1. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  2. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  3. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  4. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  5. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  6. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  7. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  15. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  21. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  24. I'll be taking the ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bass — the fish
  2. bass — the instrument
  3. leaves — of a tree
  4. stand — on your feet
  5. key — the most important part
  6. stand — for spectators
  7. deal — an agreement
  8. stand — to bear
  9. tube — a container
  10. charge — a price
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. jam — to spread on bread
  13. key — in music
  14. leaves — to go away
  15. bass — low music
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. leaves — lets stay
  18. charge — electricity
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. tube — in a tire
  21. deal — to handle
  22. charge — in control
  23. key — for a lock
  24. tube — the underground

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