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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: bear · root · bore · mouse · charge · file · press · current

  1. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  8. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  9. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  10. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  11. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  12. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  13. Did you ________________ the button?
  14. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  15. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  16. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  17. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  18. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  19. The tickets are free of ________________.
  20. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  21. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  22. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  23. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. current — of water
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. press — newspapers
  4. charge — electricity
  5. root — of a plant
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. bear — the animal
  8. root — the cause
  9. bear — to put up with
  10. mouse — for a computer
  11. current — happening now
  12. press — a publisher
  13. press — to push
  14. file — a tool
  15. current — electric
  16. bore — to tire
  17. bore — to drill
  18. file — a line of people
  19. charge — a price
  20. bear — the animal
  21. root — of a word
  22. mouse — the animal
  23. file — a document
  24. charge — in control

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