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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: charge · calf · cabinet · row · rash · bank · can · pit

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  4. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  5. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  6. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  7. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  8. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  9. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  10. Don't do anything ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  13. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  14. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  15. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  16. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  17. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  18. What do you think of the new ________________?
  19. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  20. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  21. The tickets are free of ________________.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. rash — a series
  3. calf — a young animal
  4. row — a line
  5. cabinet — a cupboard
  6. row — to paddle
  7. bank — for money
  8. pit — a hole
  9. bank — for money
  10. rash — hasty
  11. charge — electricity
  12. pit — a fruit stone
  13. can — a tin
  14. charge — in control
  15. pit — in a race
  16. row — a quarrel
  17. bank — of a river
  18. cabinet — ministers
  19. cabinet — ministers
  20. calf — a young animal
  21. charge — a price
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. can — to be able to
  24. can — a tin

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