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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.

Make a worksheet

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: lash · charge · leaves · root · mug · roll · bear · mark

  1. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  2. We're on a ________________ here.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  7. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  8. Where did you ________________ them?
  9. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  10. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  11. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  12. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  13. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  14. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  15. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  16. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  17. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  18. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  19. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  20. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  21. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  22. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  23. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. roll — on a roll
  3. mug — a face
  4. mug — a cup
  5. charge — electricity
  6. charge — in control
  7. roll — a list
  8. mug — to rob
  9. mark — a trace
  10. leaves — of a tree
  11. root — the cause
  12. mark — a grade
  13. lash — an eyelash
  14. lash — a whip stroke
  15. roll — a cake
  16. bear — the animal
  17. root — of a plant
  18. root — of a word
  19. mark — to pay attention
  20. leaves — lets stay
  21. lash — to lash out
  22. bear — to put up with
  23. leaves — to go away
  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