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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: fan · rash · charge · swing · perch · ruler · ball · stand

  1. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  2. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  3. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  4. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  5. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  6. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  7. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  8. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. David sat on the ________________.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. I can't ________________ this cold.
  13. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  14. Don't do anything ________________.
  15. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  16. The tickets are free of ________________.
  17. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  18. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  19. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  20. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  21. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  22. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. The kitten curled into a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. stand — for spectators
  2. rash — on the skin
  3. fan — a supporter
  4. perch — the fish
  5. swing — music
  6. perch — for a bird
  7. swing — in golf
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. ball — a dance
  10. swing — to play on
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. stand — to bear
  13. ruler — a monarch
  14. rash — hasty
  15. ball — a great time
  16. charge — a price
  17. stand — on your feet
  18. charge — electricity
  19. fan — to cool the air
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. perch — for a bird
  22. rash — a series
  23. charge — in control
  24. ball — a round shape

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