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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: charge · bore · swing · ruler · wax · branch · bulb · safe

  1. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  2. The light ________________ burned out.
  3. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  4. I've got to change the light ________________.
  5. Our bank has a ________________ near the station.
  6. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  7. The coach helped Matthew straighten out his golf ________________, improving his game.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  10. The tickets are free of ________________.
  11. In jazz, ________________ was gradually being replaced by bebop.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  14. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  15. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  16. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  17. David sat on the ________________.
  18. Biology is a ________________ of science.
  19. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  22. He chopped down the ________________ with an ax.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to tire
  2. bulb — for light
  3. wax — for sculpting
  4. bulb — for light
  5. branch — of a bank
  6. bore — gave birth
  7. swing — in golf
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. ruler — for measuring
  10. charge — a price
  11. swing — music
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. safe — out of danger
  14. bore — to drill
  15. wax — in the ear
  16. wax — to grow
  17. swing — to play on
  18. branch — a division
  19. ruler — for measuring
  20. charge — electricity
  21. bulb — of a plant
  22. branch — of a tree
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. charge — in control

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