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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: content · spell · mouse · racket · dip · charge · rest · mug

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. I haven't touched a tennis ________________ in years.
  5. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  6. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  7. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  8. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  9. He hit the ball with his ________________.
  10. How do you ________________ your surname?
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  14. Our cat is sitting in the apple tree, and the birds are making a ________________.
  15. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  16. Where did you ________________ them?
  17. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  18. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  19. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  22. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  23. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  24. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. mouse — the animal
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. racket — for tennis
  5. rest — a break
  6. rest — what's left
  7. dip — a sauce
  8. dip — to dunk
  9. racket — for tennis
  10. spell — letters
  11. charge — a price
  12. dip — to sink
  13. rest — what's left
  14. racket — a loud noise
  15. content — happy
  16. mug — to rob
  17. mouse — for a computer
  18. spell — magic
  19. mug — a face
  20. charge — electricity
  21. content — the amount
  22. mug — a cup
  23. spell — a short time
  24. content — videos and posts

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