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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: charge · plane · bowl · ruler · current · root · rush · press

  1. Did you ________________ the button?
  2. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  3. Millions watch the Super ________________ every February.
  4. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  5. The ________________ of 'teacher' is 'teach'.
  6. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  7. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  8. The tickets are free of ________________.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. The ________________ of a dandelion is edible, too.
  13. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  14. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  15. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  16. The ________________ took off on time.
  17. Place the flour, butter and salt into a large clean ________________.
  18. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  19. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  20. We need to address the ________________ of the problem.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. That must've been a ________________.
  23. It's your turn to ________________ the ball down the lane.
  24. You shouldn't ________________ things.

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

Answer key

  1. press — to push
  2. charge — electricity
  3. bowl — a football final
  4. rush — hurry
  5. root — of a word
  6. press — newspapers
  7. current — happening now
  8. charge — a price
  9. current — of water
  10. plane — in geometry
  11. current — electric
  12. root — of a plant
  13. press — a publisher
  14. ruler — for measuring
  15. charge — in control
  16. plane — an aircraft
  17. bowl — a dish
  18. plane — a tool
  19. ruler — a monarch
  20. root — the cause
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. rush — a thrill
  23. bowl — to roll
  24. rush — to hurry

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