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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.

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: fork · can · drill · wave · mug · racket · charge · tube

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  3. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  6. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  7. I'll be taking the ________________.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  10. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  13. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  14. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  15. Where did you ________________ them?
  16. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  17. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  20. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  23. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. racket — a loud noise
  3. fork — in a road
  4. can — a tin
  5. mug — a cup
  6. racket — for tennis
  7. tube — the underground
  8. can — a tin
  9. wave — of the sea
  10. drill — the tool
  11. charge — electricity
  12. fork — to eat with
  13. drill — army training
  14. racket — for tennis
  15. mug — to rob
  16. wave — with your hand
  17. drill — a practice
  18. mug — a face
  19. fork — a garden tool
  20. tube — a container
  21. charge — a price
  22. wave — a sudden rise
  23. tube — in a tire
  24. can — to be able to

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