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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. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  2. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  3. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  6. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  11. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  12. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  13. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  14. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  15. I'll be taking the ________________.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  18. We're almost out of ________________.
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. When will it ________________ you to start?
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  23. He is an ace ________________.
  24. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. object — a thing
  2. pop — music
  3. lash — an eyelash
  4. charge — in control
  5. mine — an explosive
  6. object — to protest
  7. pop — to visit
  8. pitcher — a jug
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. mine — for digging
  11. tube — in a tire
  12. tube — a container
  13. pitcher — a jug
  14. mine — belonging to me
  15. tube — the underground
  16. charge — a price
  17. lash — to lash out
  18. pop — soda
  19. suit — clothes
  20. suit — to fit
  21. charge — electricity
  22. suit — in cards
  23. pitcher — in baseball
  24. object — an aim

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