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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: sharp · charge · can · ruler · file · pound · bound · band

  1. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  2. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  5. A ________________ is equal to sixteen ounces.
  6. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  7. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  8. Jeff had to ________________ the pavement for three months before he found a job.
  9. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  13. Rodrigo's family went to the dog ________________ to adopt a dog.
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  16. It's one o'clock ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  19. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  24. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a tool
  2. file — a line of people
  3. can — a tin
  4. sharp — with an edge
  5. pound — a weight
  6. ruler — a monarch
  7. sharp — clever
  8. pound — to hit hard
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. can — a tin
  11. bound — obliged
  12. file — a document
  13. pound — for dogs
  14. charge — in control
  15. ruler — for measuring
  16. sharp — exactly
  17. can — to be able to
  18. bound — tied together
  19. band — a rubber band
  20. bound — certain
  21. charge — a price
  22. charge — electricity
  23. band — a ring
  24. band — a music group

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