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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.

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: mark · current · calf · charge · stock · board · bulb · tube

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  5. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  6. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  7. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  8. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. The ________________ market has crashed.
  12. I'll be taking the ________________.
  13. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  16. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  17. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  18. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  19. The light ________________ burned out.
  20. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  21. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. I've got to change the light ________________.
  24. She got the top ________________ in the exam.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. stock — a soup base
  3. charge — electricity
  4. tube — in a tire
  5. calf — of the leg
  6. board — a flat piece
  7. calf — a young animal
  8. calf — a young animal
  9. current — electric
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. stock — shares
  12. tube — the underground
  13. tube — a container
  14. charge — a price
  15. board — to get on
  16. mark — a trace
  17. mark — to pay attention
  18. current — happening now
  19. bulb — for light
  20. current — of water
  21. board — a committee
  22. stock — goods
  23. bulb — for light
  24. mark — a grade

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