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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: rush · current · charge · stand · rule · season · can · leaves

  1. That must've been a ________________.
  2. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  6. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  9. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  18. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  19. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  20. Did you ________________ the meat?
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  23. I can't ________________ this cold.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

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

Answer key

  1. rush — a thrill
  2. rule — government
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. charge — electricity
  5. season — in sport
  6. rule — to rule out
  7. charge — in control
  8. season — of the year
  9. can — a tin
  10. current — electric
  11. can — a tin
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. current — happening now
  15. rule — a law
  16. current — of water
  17. rush — hurry
  18. stand — for spectators
  19. rush — to hurry
  20. season — to add flavour
  21. charge — a price
  22. stand — on your feet
  23. stand — to bear
  24. can — to be able to

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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