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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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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. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. The King held a masked ________________.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  6. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  7. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  8. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  9. That must've been a ________________.
  10. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  14. Have you met the new head ________________?
  15. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  19. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  20. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  21. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  22. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  23. The light ________________ burned out.
  24. I don't want to ________________ the boat.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. ball — a dance
  3. charge — in control
  4. charge — electricity
  5. rush — to hurry
  6. ball — a great time
  7. rock — music
  8. can — to be able to
  9. rush — a thrill
  10. rule — to rule out
  11. charge — a price
  12. bulb — for light
  13. ball — a round shape
  14. coach — a trainer
  15. bulb — of a plant
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. can — a tin
  18. rule — a law
  19. rule — government
  20. rush — hurry
  21. coach — pulled by horses
  22. rock — a stone
  23. bulb — for light
  24. rock — to move gently

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