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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.

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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. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  2. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  3. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  4. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  5. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  6. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  7. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  8. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  11. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  12. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  13. Speak softly and carry a big ________________.
  14. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  17. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. He is an ace ________________.
  20. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  21. Fiction is obliged to ________________ to possibilities. Truth isn't.
  22. The tickets are free of ________________.
  23. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  24. This is the first time I've ever walked with a ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. charge — electricity
  2. stem — of a plant
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. current — electric
  5. charge — in control
  6. stem — a stem cell
  7. face — part of the head
  8. safe — a strongbox
  9. suit — to fit
  10. pitcher — a jug
  11. stem — to come from
  12. suit — in cards
  13. stick — a piece of wood
  14. pitcher — a jug
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. suit — clothes
  17. face — to point toward
  18. current — of water
  19. pitcher — in baseball
  20. current — happening now
  21. stick — to attach or keep to
  22. charge — a price
  23. face — to confront
  24. stick — a piece of wood

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