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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.

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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: mug · charge · wave · tube · object · drill · stem · can

  1. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  2. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  3. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  4. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  5. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  6. The tickets are free of ________________.
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  9. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  10. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  11. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. Where did you ________________ them?
  14. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  15. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  16. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  17. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  18. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  19. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  20. The soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  21. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  22. I'll be taking the ________________.
  23. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  24. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — of the sea
  2. can — to be able to
  3. can — a tin
  4. wave — with your hand
  5. stem — a stem cell
  6. charge — a price
  7. object — a thing
  8. stem — of a plant
  9. stem — to come from
  10. wave — a sudden rise
  11. mug — a face
  12. charge — in control
  13. mug — to rob
  14. drill — the tool
  15. tube — a container
  16. object — to protest
  17. drill — a practice
  18. can — a tin
  19. mug — a cup
  20. drill — army training
  21. object — an aim
  22. tube — the underground
  23. charge — electricity
  24. tube — in a tire

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