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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: rash · spring · rush · charge · staff · current · lie · cue

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  6. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  7. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  8. That must've been a ________________.
  9. Don't do anything ________________.
  10. There's a broken ________________ in the bed.
  11. The flowers bloom in the ________________.
  12. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  13. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  16. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  17. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  18. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  21. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  22. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  23. The hotel is built around a mineral ________________.
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. staff — employees
  3. rash — on the skin
  4. rash — a series
  5. cue — a signal
  6. rush — hurry
  7. lie — to recline
  8. rush — a thrill
  9. rash — hasty
  10. spring — a coil
  11. spring — the season
  12. lie — an untruth
  13. rush — to hurry
  14. current — electric
  15. staff — a stick
  16. cue — a hint
  17. current — happening now
  18. staff — employees
  19. charge — a price
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. cue — for pool
  22. current — of water
  23. spring — of water
  24. charge — electricity

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