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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: charge · suit · pop · safe · last · rock · can · stand

  1. We're almost out of ________________.
  2. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  3. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  4. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  5. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. When will it ________________ you to start?
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. I can't ________________ this cold.
  11. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  12. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  13. False peace will not ________________.
  14. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  15. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  16. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  17. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  18. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  19. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  20. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  21. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

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

Answer key

  1. pop — soda
  2. rock — a stone
  3. pop — music
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. charge — electricity
  6. charge — a price
  7. pop — to visit
  8. suit — to fit
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. stand — to bear
  11. suit — in cards
  12. stand — on your feet
  13. last — to go on
  14. last — finally
  15. rock — music
  16. rock — to move gently
  17. can — a tin
  18. can — a tin
  19. charge — in control
  20. stand — for spectators
  21. safe — a strongbox
  22. can — to be able to
  23. suit — clothes
  24. last — final

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