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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.

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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: lash · charge · calf · rock · band · leaves · current · hide

  1. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  2. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  3. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  4. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  5. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  6. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  7. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  8. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  9. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  10. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  13. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  14. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  15. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  16. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  17. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  18. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. The tickets are free of ________________.
  21. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  22. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  23. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  24. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. calf — a young animal
  2. lash — an eyelash
  3. charge — in control
  4. leaves — to go away
  5. rock — a stone
  6. hide — animal skin
  7. band — a rubber band
  8. rock — music
  9. calf — a young animal
  10. rock — to move gently
  11. charge — electricity
  12. leaves — of a tree
  13. lash — to lash out
  14. current — electric
  15. current — of water
  16. leaves — lets stay
  17. lash — a whip stroke
  18. calf — of the leg
  19. current — happening now
  20. charge — a price
  21. band — a music group
  22. hide — to keep secret
  23. hide — to keep secret
  24. band — a ring

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