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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 120 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: pop · current · stick · object · charge · file · staff · bay

  1. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  2. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  3. My mare is ________________ in color.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  8. We're almost out of ________________.
  9. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  10. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  11. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  18. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  19. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  22. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  23. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  24. You don't need to ________________ round.

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

Answer key

  1. file — a line of people
  2. object — a thing
  3. bay — a horse colour
  4. current — electric
  5. staff — employees
  6. current — of water
  7. object — to protest
  8. pop — soda
  9. bay — to keep at bay
  10. file — a tool
  11. stick — a piece of wood
  12. charge — in control
  13. object — an aim
  14. charge — a price
  15. stick — a piece of wood
  16. charge — electricity
  17. file — a document
  18. staff — a stick
  19. stick — to attach or keep to
  20. current — happening now
  21. bay — a part of the sea
  22. pop — music
  23. staff — employees
  24. pop — to visit

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