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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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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: charge · wind · root · mouse · saw · can · kick · ruler

  1. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  3. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  4. He sold his goods at a loss to ________________ up his business.
  5. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  6. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  7. It was raining hard, and to make things worse, the ________________ was beginning to rise.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  10. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  11. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  12. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  13. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. The strong ________________ blew his hat off.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. She's very handy with a ________________.
  21. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  22. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. root — the cause
  3. ruler — for measuring
  4. wind — to turn a key
  5. can — a tin
  6. can — a tin
  7. wind — moving air
  8. charge — a price
  9. kick — a thrill
  10. saw — past of 'see'
  11. mouse — the animal
  12. kick — in football
  13. root — of a plant
  14. root — of a word
  15. mouse — the animal
  16. charge — in control
  17. can — to be able to
  18. wind — moving air
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. saw — the tool
  21. kick — with a leg
  22. mouse — for a computer
  23. ruler — for measuring
  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