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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: jam · wound · fan · charge · board · cap · deal · can

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  5. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  6. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  7. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  8. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  9. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  12. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  13. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  14. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  17. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  18. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  19. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  20. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  23. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. can — a tin
  3. charge — electricity
  4. fan — a supporter
  5. wound — an injury
  6. deal — an agreement
  7. wound — past of 'wind'
  8. fan — to cool the air
  9. deal — to handle
  10. can — to be able to
  11. board — a committee
  12. board — a flat piece
  13. cap — a lid
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. can — a tin
  16. deal — a big deal
  17. jam — to spread on bread
  18. cap — of ice
  19. jam — in traffic
  20. cap — a hat
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. board — to get on
  23. wound — an injury
  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