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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: calf · bulb · club · can · charge · swing · bark · temple

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. I belonged to the harmonica ________________ in my high school days.
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  5. When was this ________________ built?
  6. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  7. The light ________________ burned out.
  8. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  9. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  10. I've got to change the light ________________.
  11. David sat on the ________________.
  12. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  13. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  16. Later, his shop becomes a ________________ with young dancers.
  17. Your daily life is your ________________ and your religion.
  18. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  19. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  20. A trickle of blood ran from her ________________ down her cheek.
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  24. My rich neighbors belong to a private golf ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. club — a group
  3. can — a tin
  4. can — a tin
  5. temple — a place of worship
  6. calf — a young animal
  7. bulb — for light
  8. swing — music
  9. bark — a dog's sound
  10. bulb — for light
  11. swing — to play on
  12. charge — electricity
  13. calf — of the leg
  14. can — to be able to
  15. bark — of a tree
  16. club — for dancing
  17. temple — a place of worship
  18. bark — to shout
  19. swing — in golf
  20. temple — side of the head
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. charge — a price
  23. calf — a young animal
  24. club — for golf

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