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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: mouse · staff · can · deal · charge · lie · wave · tube

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  3. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  4. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  5. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  6. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  7. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  8. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  9. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  12. I need a new inner ________________ for my bike tire.
  13. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  14. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  15. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  16. I want a large ________________ of toothpaste.
  17. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  18. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  19. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  20. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  21. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  22. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  23. I'll be taking the ________________.
  24. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.

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

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. lie — to recline
  3. staff — a stick
  4. deal — to handle
  5. mouse — the animal
  6. deal — a big deal
  7. lie — an untruth
  8. can — a tin
  9. wave — a sudden rise
  10. charge — a price
  11. mouse — for a computer
  12. tube — in a tire
  13. charge — in control
  14. wave — of the sea
  15. staff — employees
  16. tube — a container
  17. wave — with your hand
  18. lie — an untruth
  19. can — to be able to
  20. deal — an agreement
  21. charge — electricity
  22. can — a tin
  23. tube — the underground
  24. staff — employees

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