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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: lie · bore · roll · can · bank · face · charge · mate

  1. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  2. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  3. Grandma has made a Swiss ________________.
  4. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  5. Have you found your soul ________________?
  6. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  7. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  8. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  9. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  10. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  11. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  12. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  13. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  14. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  15. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  16. The teacher called the ________________ to see who was absent.
  17. The tickets are free of ________________.
  18. We're on a ________________ here.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  21. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  22. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  23. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  24. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.

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

Answer key

  1. bore — to drill
  2. can — a tin
  3. roll — a cake
  4. mate — to breed
  5. mate — a partner
  6. lie — an untruth
  7. mate — a friend
  8. face — part of the head
  9. can — to be able to
  10. bank — for money
  11. lie — an untruth
  12. bore — gave birth
  13. bank — for money
  14. bank — of a river
  15. face — to point toward
  16. roll — a list
  17. charge — a price
  18. roll — on a roll
  19. bore — to tire
  20. charge — electricity
  21. can — a tin
  22. charge — in control
  23. lie — to recline
  24. face — to confront

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