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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
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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: charge · lash · fan · band · row · rock · kick · bowl

  1. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  2. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  3. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  4. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  7. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  8. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  11. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  14. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  15. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  16. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  17. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  18. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  19. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  20. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  21. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lash — an eyelash
  2. row — to paddle
  3. band — a ring
  4. bowl — a dish
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. row — a line
  7. kick — with a leg
  8. bowl — a football final
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. fan — to cool the air
  11. bowl — to roll
  12. charge — electricity
  13. rock — a stone
  14. kick — in football
  15. band — a rubber band
  16. lash — to lash out
  17. rock — music
  18. row — a quarrel
  19. fan — a supporter
  20. kick — a thrill
  21. band — a music group
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. charge — in control
  24. charge — a price

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