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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 120 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: current · perch · plane · tube · prune · kick · can · charge

  1. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  2. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  3. ________________ is common in the lakes of Sweden.
  4. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  5. They were given a penalty ________________ just minutes from the end.
  6. I'll be taking the ________________.
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. The ________________ took off on time.
  10. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. I get a ________________ out of her cheerful personality.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. The owl hooted softly from its ________________.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. The birds use the scarecrow as a ________________.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. One ________________ from a giraffe's hind leg is enough to kill a lion.

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

Answer key

  1. tube — a container
  2. prune — to trim
  3. perch — the fish
  4. prune — to trim
  5. kick — in football
  6. tube — the underground
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. current — of water
  9. plane — an aircraft
  10. can — a tin
  11. current — happening now
  12. can — a tin
  13. charge — a price
  14. kick — a thrill
  15. charge — electricity
  16. perch — for a bird
  17. current — electric
  18. prune — the fruit
  19. can — to be able to
  20. perch — for a bird
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. plane — a tool
  23. charge — in control
  24. kick — with a leg

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