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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: rash · cap · plane · rock · charge · lash · bank · bear

  1. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  2. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  3. Don't do anything ________________.
  4. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  5. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  6. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  7. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  8. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  13. The ________________ took off on time.
  14. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  15. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  18. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  19. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  22. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  23. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  24. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. bear — the animal
  2. bank — of a river
  3. rash — hasty
  4. rash — a series
  5. lash — an eyelash
  6. plane — in geometry
  7. bank — for money
  8. cap — a hat
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. rock — music
  11. charge — a price
  12. charge — in control
  13. plane — an aircraft
  14. rash — on the skin
  15. bank — for money
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. cap — a lid
  18. cap — of ice
  19. charge — electricity
  20. rock — a stone
  21. rock — to move gently
  22. lash — to lash out
  23. plane — a tool
  24. bear — the animal

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