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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.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: fine · rush · charge · hide · dip · mouse · jam · plane

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. The tickets are free of ________________.
  3. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  4. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  5. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  6. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  7. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  8. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  9. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  10. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  11. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  15. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  16. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  17. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  18. The ________________ took off on time.
  19. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  20. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  21. That must've been a ________________.
  22. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  23. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. charge — a price
  3. jam — in traffic
  4. dip — to sink
  5. hide — to keep secret
  6. jam — to spread on bread
  7. charge — electricity
  8. dip — a sauce
  9. mouse — for a computer
  10. jam — a tight spot
  11. fine — a penalty
  12. charge — in control
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. plane — a tool
  16. dip — to dunk
  17. fine — all right
  18. plane — an aircraft
  19. fine — high quality
  20. hide — to keep secret
  21. rush — a thrill
  22. rush — to hurry
  23. hide — animal skin
  24. rush — hurry

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