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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: bass · current · wind · charge · roll · cabinet · rash · bay

  1. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  2. Don't do anything ________________.
  3. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  4. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  5. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  6. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  7. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  8. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  9. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  10. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  11. We're on a ________________ here.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  16. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  17. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  18. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  22. What do you think of the new ________________?
  23. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  24. My mare is ________________ in color.

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

Answer key

  1. cabinet — a cupboard
  2. rash — hasty
  3. roll — a list
  4. wind — to turn a key
  5. bay — a part of the sea
  6. current — happening now
  7. rash — a series
  8. bass — low music
  9. charge — electricity
  10. wind — moving air
  11. roll — on a roll
  12. charge — in control
  13. bass — the instrument
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. cabinet — ministers
  16. bass — the fish
  17. bay — to keep at bay
  18. wind — moving air
  19. current — electric
  20. charge — a price
  21. roll — a cake
  22. cabinet — ministers
  23. current — of water
  24. bay — a horse colour

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