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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 120 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: rule · lash · rock · pop · bulb · pit · charge · bark

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  4. The sergeant loved to ________________ orders at us.
  5. Michael Jackson and Prince changed the history of ________________ music.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. You don't need to ________________ round.
  8. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  9. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  10. We're almost out of ________________.
  11. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  12. Birch trees have smooth white ________________.
  13. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. Will civil ________________ and democracy continue in Algeria?
  16. The light ________________ burned out.
  17. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  18. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  21. Remember our ________________: no talking to strangers, no matter what.
  22. Our dog starts to ________________ whenever the doorbell rings.
  23. The chairman did not ________________ out the possibility of a disagreement.
  24. The tickets are free of ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — in control
  2. bulb — of a plant
  3. charge — electricity
  4. bark — to shout
  5. pop — music
  6. rock — a stone
  7. pop — to visit
  8. pit — in a race
  9. lash — a whip stroke
  10. pop — soda
  11. lash — to lash out
  12. bark — of a tree
  13. pit — a fruit stone
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. rule — government
  16. bulb — for light
  17. pit — a hole
  18. rock — music
  19. bulb — for light
  20. lash — an eyelash
  21. rule — a law
  22. bark — a dog's sound
  23. rule — to rule out
  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