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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.

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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: swing · pass · charge · rash · can · stick · bark · bound

  1. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  2. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  3. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  4. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  5. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  11. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  12. David sat on the ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  16. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  17. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  18. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. Don't do anything ________________.
  21. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  22. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  23. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  24. We are ________________ to obey laws.

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

Answer key

  1. swing — music
  2. bark — of a tree
  3. can — a tin
  4. stick — to attach or keep to
  5. can — a tin
  6. charge — in control
  7. rash — a series
  8. bark — to shout
  9. charge — electricity
  10. stick — a piece of wood
  11. bound — tied together
  12. swing — to play on
  13. can — to be able to
  14. charge — a price
  15. pass — to spend time
  16. bark — a dog's sound
  17. swing — in golf
  18. stick — a piece of wood
  19. bound — certain
  20. rash — hasty
  21. pass — a permit
  22. rash — on the skin
  23. pass — to succeed
  24. bound — obliged

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