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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.

Make a worksheet

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: mouse · spell · kick · can · pitcher · charge · current · sharp

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  3. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  4. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  7. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  8. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  9. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. It's one o'clock ________________.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  14. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  15. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  16. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  17. How do you ________________ your surname?
  18. The tickets are free of ________________.
  19. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  20. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  21. He is an ace ________________.
  22. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  23. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  24. Should I buy a wireless ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. sharp — clever
  4. kick — with a leg
  5. current — happening now
  6. spell — magic
  7. spell — a short time
  8. kick — in football
  9. mouse — the animal
  10. current — electric
  11. sharp — exactly
  12. current — of water
  13. can — to be able to
  14. can — a tin
  15. pitcher — a jug
  16. can — a tin
  17. spell — letters
  18. charge — a price
  19. kick — a thrill
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. pitcher — in baseball
  22. charge — electricity
  23. sharp — with an edge
  24. mouse — for a computer

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

Make a worksheet (0 words)

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