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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
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: mate · can · bark · charge · nail · rock · ball · fine

  1. The ________________ went through the wall.
  2. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  3. The King held a masked ________________.
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  6. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  7. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  8. He drove in a ________________ with his hammer.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  12. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  13. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. She broke her ________________ while washing the dishes.
  16. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  17. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  18. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  19. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. Have you found your soul ________________?
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. nail — for a hammer
  2. ball — a great time
  3. ball — a dance
  4. charge — in control
  5. rock — to move gently
  6. bark — to shout
  7. can — a tin
  8. nail — for a hammer
  9. can — to be able to
  10. can — a tin
  11. mate — to breed
  12. ball — a round shape
  13. bark — a dog's sound
  14. charge — a price
  15. nail — on a finger
  16. rock — music
  17. mate — a friend
  18. bark — of a tree
  19. fine — a penalty
  20. rock — a stone
  21. mate — a partner
  22. fine — high quality
  23. fine — all right
  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