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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.

Make a worksheet

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: pitcher · hide · charge · current · coach · stick · vault · leaves

  1. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  4. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. He is an ace ________________.
  7. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  12. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  13. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  14. Champaud competed in the parallel bars, ________________, and pommel horse events.
  15. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  16. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  17. Have you met the new head ________________?
  18. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  21. The ceiling is a plaster ________________ painted with stars.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. Lukas kept the diamonds in a locked ________________.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. leaves — to go away
  2. charge — in control
  3. leaves — lets stay
  4. hide — to keep secret
  5. current — of water
  6. pitcher — in baseball
  7. leaves — of a tree
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. hide — animal skin
  10. current — happening now
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. coach — pulled by horses
  13. stick — to attach or keep to
  14. vault — in gymnastics
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. stick — a piece of wood
  17. coach — a trainer
  18. pitcher — a jug
  19. current — electric
  20. coach — a trainer
  21. vault — an arched ceiling
  22. charge — electricity
  23. vault — a safe
  24. charge — a price

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