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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 120 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
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: temple · fork · press · charge · pass · pop · root · fan

  1. The tickets are free of ________________.
  2. You don't need to ________________ round.
  3. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  4. We're almost out of ________________.
  5. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  6. When was this ________________ built?
  7. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  8. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  9. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  10. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  11. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  12. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  15. We came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  18. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  19. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  22. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  23. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — a price
  2. pop — to visit
  3. pass — to spend time
  4. pop — soda
  5. fork — a garden tool
  6. temple — a place of worship
  7. pop — music
  8. temple — side of the head
  9. temple — a place of worship
  10. root — of a plant
  11. press — a publisher
  12. fan — a supporter
  13. press — to push
  14. press — newspapers
  15. fork — in a road
  16. charge — in control
  17. pass — a permit
  18. fork — to eat with
  19. root — of a word
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. pass — to succeed
  22. fan — to cool the air
  23. root — the cause
  24. charge — electricity

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