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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: root · bulb · fan · key · mug · lie · charge · coach

  1. Are you the only one who has a ________________ to this door?
  2. I've got to change the light ________________.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. The light ________________ burned out.
  5. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  6. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  7. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  8. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  9. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. Where did you ________________ them?
  12. This piece is in a major ________________.
  13. The tickets are free of ________________.
  14. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  17. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. Have you met the new head ________________?
  20. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  21. Hard work is the ________________ to success.
  22. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  23. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  24. Can you turn the ________________ on?

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

Answer key

  1. key — for a lock
  2. bulb — for light
  3. mug — a face
  4. bulb — for light
  5. root — the cause
  6. root — of a plant
  7. charge — in control
  8. lie — an untruth
  9. fan — a supporter
  10. mug — a cup
  11. mug — to rob
  12. key — in music
  13. charge — a price
  14. root — of a word
  15. lie — to recline
  16. coach — a trainer
  17. charge — electricity
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. coach — a trainer
  20. lie — an untruth
  21. key — the most important part
  22. coach — pulled by horses
  23. bulb — of a plant
  24. fan — to cool the air

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