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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 112 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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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. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  4. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  7. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  11. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  12. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  13. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  14. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  18. That must've been a ________________.
  19. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  20. What do you think of the new ________________?
  21. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  22. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  23. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. row — a line
  2. can — to be able to
  3. bank — for money
  4. bank — for money
  5. can — a tin
  6. cabinet — ministers
  7. row — to paddle
  8. charge — a price
  9. charge — electricity
  10. root — the cause
  11. row — a quarrel
  12. cabinet — a cupboard
  13. root — of a word
  14. mouse — for a computer
  15. charge — in control
  16. can — a tin
  17. mouse — the animal
  18. rush — a thrill
  19. rush — hurry
  20. cabinet — ministers
  21. rush — to hurry
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. root — of a plant
  24. bank — of a river

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