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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: charge · can · mug · rash · dip · bore · bass · rock

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  3. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  6. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  7. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  8. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  9. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  10. Where did you ________________ them?
  11. Don't do anything ________________.
  12. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  13. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  19. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  22. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. bore — gave birth
  3. bass — the instrument
  4. rock — music
  5. rash — a series
  6. rash — on the skin
  7. rock — to move gently
  8. mug — a cup
  9. bore — to tire
  10. mug — to rob
  11. rash — hasty
  12. dip — to dunk
  13. mug — a face
  14. bore — to drill
  15. charge — electricity
  16. can — to be able to
  17. can — a tin
  18. bass — the fish
  19. dip — a sauce
  20. charge — a price
  21. rock — a stone
  22. bass — low music
  23. charge — in control
  24. dip — to sink

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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