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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: scale · can · charge · lean · wave · bound · rock · lash

  1. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  2. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  4. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  5. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  6. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  7. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  8. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  9. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  12. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  18. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  19. That was ________________ to happen.
  20. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  21. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  22. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.

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

Answer key

  1. lean — to bend
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. can — to be able to
  4. charge — in control
  5. wave — of the sea
  6. lash — to lash out
  7. lash — an eyelash
  8. scale — size or range
  9. bound — obliged
  10. can — a tin
  11. lash — a whip stroke
  12. rock — a stone
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. lean — to rest against
  15. can — a tin
  16. charge — a price
  17. bound — tied together
  18. lean — thin
  19. bound — certain
  20. rock — music
  21. scale — for weighing
  22. scale — in music
  23. charge — electricity
  24. wave — a sudden rise

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