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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
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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: rock · pass · safe · ground · charge · bank · arm · bore

  1. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  5. Add some ________________ pepper to it.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. There's no middle ________________.
  10. The ________________ was covered with snow, as far as the eye could see.
  11. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  14. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  15. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  16. My father caught me by the ________________.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  20. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  21. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  24. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. rock — to move gently
  3. pass — a permit
  4. arm — a part of something
  5. ground — crushed
  6. bore — to tire
  7. charge — a price
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. ground — a position
  10. ground — the earth
  11. charge — in control
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. pass — to spend time
  14. pass — to succeed
  15. charge — electricity
  16. arm — part of the body
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. rock — music
  19. bore — to drill
  20. bank — for money
  21. arm — part of the body
  22. bank — for money
  23. safe — a strongbox
  24. bank — of a river

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