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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
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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: bark · charge · stock · pit · key · fan · can · toast

  1. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  4. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  5. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  6. The ________________ market has crashed.
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. This piece is in a major ________________.
  9. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  10. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  11. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  12. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  13. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  16. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  17. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  18. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  19. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  22. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. fan — to cool the air
  2. can — a tin
  3. toast — a drink to someone
  4. pit — a hole
  5. bark — a dog's sound
  6. stock — shares
  7. charge — a price
  8. key — in music
  9. charge — in control
  10. can — a tin
  11. pit — a fruit stone
  12. bark — to shout
  13. toast — the most admired
  14. can — to be able to
  15. toast — bread
  16. key — for a lock
  17. bark — of a tree
  18. stock — a soup base
  19. key — the most important part
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. pit — in a race
  22. stock — goods
  23. charge — electricity
  24. fan — a supporter

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