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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.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I've got to change the light ________________.
  2. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  3. The light ________________ burned out.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  6. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  7. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. The tickets are free of ________________.
  10. When was this ________________ built?
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  13. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  18. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.

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

Answer key

  1. bulb — for light
  2. charge — in control
  3. bulb — for light
  4. charge — electricity
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. object — an aim
  7. can — to be able to
  8. can — a tin
  9. charge — a price
  10. temple — a place of worship
  11. mug — a face
  12. object — to protest
  13. object — a thing
  14. can — a tin
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. mug — to rob
  17. mug — a cup
  18. temple — side of the head

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