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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: rock · wave · mark · charge · mug · stick · face · board

  1. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  2. Where did you ________________ them?
  3. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  4. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  5. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  6. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  7. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  8. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  9. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  12. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  13. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  14. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  15. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  16. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  17. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  18. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  19. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  20. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  21. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  22. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  23. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  24. He refilled his coffee ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — of the sea
  2. mug — to rob
  3. wave — a sudden rise
  4. board — a flat piece
  5. face — to confront
  6. charge — electricity
  7. board — to get on
  8. mark — to pay attention
  9. mark — a grade
  10. charge — a price
  11. rock — to move gently
  12. stick — a piece of wood
  13. wave — with your hand
  14. board — a committee
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. charge — in control
  17. mark — a trace
  18. face — part of the head
  19. rock — a stone
  20. face — to point toward
  21. rock — music
  22. mug — a face
  23. stick — to attach or keep to
  24. mug — a cup

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