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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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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. What do you think of the new ________________?
  4. The tickets are free of ________________.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. That must've been a ________________.
  7. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  8. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  9. The King held a masked ________________.
  10. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  11. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  12. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  13. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  14. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  15. Take your time. There's no ________________.
  16. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  17. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  18. 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. wave — with your hand
  2. current — of water
  3. cabinet — ministers
  4. charge — a price
  5. current — happening now
  6. rush — a thrill
  7. cabinet — a cupboard
  8. ball — a great time
  9. ball — a dance
  10. current — electric
  11. charge — electricity
  12. ball — a round shape
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. wave — of the sea
  15. rush — hurry
  16. wave — a sudden rise
  17. rush — to hurry
  18. 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