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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.

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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: mug · game · hand · toast · bulb · rock · safe · charge

  1. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  2. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  3. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. He hasn't even shaken my ________________.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  11. The tickets are free of ________________.
  12. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  13. Roulette is a ________________ of chance.
  14. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  15. I got dealt a bad ________________.
  16. The pointer is employed to find upland ________________.
  17. That was a fun ________________.
  18. I've got to change the light ________________.
  19. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  20. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. Where did you ________________ them?
  23. Do you need a ________________ with that?
  24. Where can I ________________ my mobile?

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. mug — a face
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. rock — music
  6. rock — a stone
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. hand — part of the body
  9. bulb — for light
  10. mug — a cup
  11. charge — a price
  12. toast — a drink to someone
  13. game — a kind of play
  14. rock — to move gently
  15. hand — in cards
  16. game — wild animals
  17. game — a match
  18. bulb — for light
  19. safe — out of danger
  20. toast — bread
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. mug — to rob
  23. hand — help
  24. charge — electricity

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