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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: charge · key · lean · bass · bulb · bank · rash · firm

  1. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  2. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  3. The tickets are free of ________________.
  4. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  5. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  6. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  7. Don't do anything ________________.
  8. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  9. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  13. This piece is in a major ________________.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  18. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  19. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  20. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  21. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  22. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.
  23. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  24. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.

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

Answer key

  1. bank — for money
  2. rash — a series
  3. charge — a price
  4. firm — steady
  5. bank — for money
  6. firm — a company
  7. rash — hasty
  8. charge — in control
  9. lean — to bend
  10. charge — electricity
  11. bulb — for light
  12. bank — of a river
  13. key — in music
  14. lean — thin
  15. bass — the instrument
  16. bulb — for light
  17. bulb — of a plant
  18. key — the most important part
  19. key — for a lock
  20. bass — the fish
  21. bass — low music
  22. lean — to rest against
  23. rash — on the skin
  24. firm — decided

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