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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: safe · track · object · charge · trunk · staff · mark · lie

  1. This is my favorite ________________ on the album.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  5. He keeps ________________ of his days.
  6. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  9. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  12. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  13. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  14. The muddy ________________ descends to a valley.
  15. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  16. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  19. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  20. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.

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

Answer key

  1. track — a song
  2. charge — in control
  3. charge — a price
  4. staff — employees
  5. track — to keep track
  6. staff — employees
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. mark — a grade
  9. staff — a stick
  10. object — to protest
  11. trunk — of an elephant
  12. object — an aim
  13. mark — a trace
  14. track — a path
  15. lie — an untruth
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. trunk — of a tree
  19. object — a thing
  20. trunk — of a car
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. charge — electricity
  23. lie — to recline
  24. lie — an untruth

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