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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 120 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. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  4. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  5. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  8. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  9. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  10. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  11. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — for a computer
  2. rock — a stone
  3. rest — what's left
  4. rest — a break
  5. drill — army training
  6. rock — music
  7. drill — a practice
  8. club — a group
  9. rest — what's left
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. club — for dancing
  12. charge — in control
  13. suit — clothes
  14. current — happening now
  15. drill — the tool
  16. current — of water
  17. club — for golf
  18. suit — to fit
  19. mouse — the animal
  20. charge — a price
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. current — electric
  23. charge — electricity
  24. suit — in cards

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