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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 116 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. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. I've got to change the light ________________.
  7. You don't have to ________________ at me like that.
  8. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. What do you think of the new ________________?
  11. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  12. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  13. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  14. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  15. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  16. When I ________________ my fingers, you'll wake up.
  17. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. This piece is in a major ________________.
  22. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  23. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  24. ________________ out of it! You haven't done a thing all week.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — of a river
  2. can — a tin
  3. cabinet — a cupboard
  4. charge — a price
  5. charge — in control
  6. bulb — for light
  7. snap — to speak sharply
  8. bulb — of a plant
  9. bulb — for light
  10. cabinet — ministers
  11. key — for a lock
  12. can — to be able to
  13. can — a tin
  14. deal — an agreement
  15. bank — for money
  16. snap — to click
  17. key — the most important part
  18. charge — electricity
  19. deal — a big deal
  20. bank — for money
  21. key — in music
  22. deal — to handle
  23. cabinet — ministers
  24. snap — to snap out of it

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