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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: content · charge · cue · fine · can · plane · patient · row

  1. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  2. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  3. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  4. The ________________ took off on time.
  5. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  6. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  7. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  8. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  9. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  10. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  11. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  12. The tickets are free of ________________.
  13. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  19. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  20. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  21. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  22. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

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

Answer key

  1. can — a tin
  2. cue — for pool
  3. content — the amount
  4. plane — an aircraft
  5. patient — a sick person
  6. row — a quarrel
  7. cue — a hint
  8. fine — a penalty
  9. content — happy
  10. row — to paddle
  11. patient — a sick person
  12. charge — a price
  13. plane — in geometry
  14. can — to be able to
  15. can — a tin
  16. fine — all right
  17. charge — in control
  18. fine — high quality
  19. patient — calm and waiting
  20. content — videos and posts
  21. cue — a signal
  22. plane — a tool
  23. charge — electricity
  24. row — a line

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