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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: charge · jam · current · lie · bound · bore · rock · lash

  1. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  4. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  5. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  6. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  9. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  10. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  11. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  14. The tickets are free of ________________.
  15. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  16. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  19. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  20. That was ________________ to happen.
  21. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  22. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  23. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  24. Tom got himself in a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. lie — an untruth
  2. rock — a stone
  3. lie — an untruth
  4. bound — obliged
  5. current — of water
  6. rock — music
  7. current — happening now
  8. jam — to spread on bread
  9. lie — to recline
  10. bore — to tire
  11. jam — in traffic
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. charge — electricity
  14. charge — a price
  15. lash — an eyelash
  16. current — electric
  17. charge — in control
  18. lash — a whip stroke
  19. bound — tied together
  20. bound — certain
  21. bore — to drill
  22. rock — to move gently
  23. lash — to lash out
  24. jam — a tight spot

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