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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
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: wave · lash · charge · current · ruler · can · field · bank

  1. She's an expert in the ________________ of medicine.
  2. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  5. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  6. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  7. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  8. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  9. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  12. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  13. The stadium has a track around the football ________________.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  17. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  18. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  19. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  20. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  23. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  24. Vegetables are growing on this ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. field — a subject
  2. wave — of the sea
  3. current — of water
  4. charge — electricity
  5. bank — for money
  6. ruler — for measuring
  7. wave — with your hand
  8. bank — of a river
  9. lash — to lash out
  10. charge — a price
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. lash — a whip stroke
  13. field — for sport
  14. current — happening now
  15. can — a tin
  16. ruler — a monarch
  17. bank — for money
  18. lash — an eyelash
  19. wave — a sudden rise
  20. current — electric
  21. can — a tin
  22. can — to be able to
  23. charge — in control
  24. field — farmland

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