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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: fan · ruler · bore · current · pop · content · charge · tube

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  6. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  7. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  8. TikTok makes it very easy to create ________________.
  9. I'll be taking the ________________.
  10. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  11. Buy me a box of chocolates and I'll be ________________.
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  14. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  15. We're almost out of ________________.
  16. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  17. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  18. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. You don't need to ________________ round.
  21. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. Check the label for the sugar ________________.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. current — of water
  3. fan — to cool the air
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. ruler — for measuring
  6. bore — to tire
  7. ruler — a monarch
  8. content — videos and posts
  9. tube — the underground
  10. charge — electricity
  11. content — happy
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. current — electric
  14. fan — a supporter
  15. pop — soda
  16. tube — a container
  17. charge — in control
  18. pop — music
  19. current — happening now
  20. pop — to visit
  21. tube — in a tire
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. content — the amount
  24. charge — a price

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