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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: can · perch · arm · root · mark · mate · charge · ruler

  1. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  2. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  3. Have you found your soul ________________?
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. She got the top ________________ in the exam.
  6. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  7. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  10. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  11. My father caught me by the ________________.
  12. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  15. ________________ my words: he'll be late again.
  16. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  17. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  18. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  19. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  20. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  21. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  22. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  23. The hot cup left a ________________ on the table.
  24. Recycle the empty soda ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. ruler — a monarch
  2. arm — a part of something
  3. mate — a partner
  4. charge — electricity
  5. mark — a grade
  6. root — the cause
  7. perch — for a bird
  8. charge — in control
  9. root — of a word
  10. ruler — for measuring
  11. arm — part of the body
  12. ruler — for measuring
  13. charge — a price
  14. can — a tin
  15. mark — to pay attention
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. can — to be able to
  18. mate — a friend
  19. mate — to breed
  20. perch — the fish
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. root — of a plant
  23. mark — a trace
  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