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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: bowl · fine · row · charge · saw · bear · lean · temple

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. He works in a ________________ mill.
  3. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  4. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  5. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  6. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  7. She's very handy with a ________________.
  8. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  9. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  10. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  11. When was this ________________ built?
  12. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  13. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  14. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  17. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  18. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  19. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  20. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. saw — the tool
  3. row — a line
  4. row — to paddle
  5. lean — thin
  6. fine — a penalty
  7. saw — the tool
  8. temple — a place of worship
  9. bear — the animal
  10. bear — the animal
  11. temple — a place of worship
  12. bear — to put up with
  13. temple — side of the head
  14. fine — high quality
  15. charge — electricity
  16. bowl — a dish
  17. bowl — a football final
  18. row — a quarrel
  19. lean — to rest against
  20. fine — all right
  21. charge — a price
  22. saw — past of 'see'
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. lean — to bend

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