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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.

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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: file · bulb · arm · charge · ruler · hand · can · roll

  1. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. He rubbed the rust off with a ________________.
  4. We walked down the narrow path in single ________________.
  5. The information is stored in a ________________ on my computer.
  6. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. I've got to change the light ________________.
  13. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  14. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  15. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  16. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. My father caught me by the ________________.
  20. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  21. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  24. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. can — a tin
  3. file — a tool
  4. file — a line of people
  5. file — a document
  6. hand — part of the body
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. ruler — for measuring
  9. bulb — for light
  10. arm — part of the body
  11. charge — a price
  12. bulb — for light
  13. arm — a part of something
  14. roll — a cake
  15. ruler — a monarch
  16. ruler — for measuring
  17. charge — electricity
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. arm — part of the body
  20. hand — help
  21. hand — in cards
  22. charge — in control
  23. can — to be able to
  24. roll — a list

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