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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. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  2. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  3. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  4. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  8. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  9. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  10. I cannot ________________ this tree. It's too high.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. A ________________ is just a dried plum.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. He is as ________________ as a wolf.
  15. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  16. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  19. Vegetables slowly ________________ towards the light.
  20. Do not ________________ roses in the fall.
  21. The ________________ took off on time.
  22. The King held a masked ________________.
  23. Have you found your soul ________________?
  24. Don't ________________ against the wall. It's just been painted.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. ball — a round shape
  3. safe — out of danger
  4. ball — a great time
  5. current — happening now
  6. mate — to breed
  7. plane — a tool
  8. mate — a friend
  9. plane — in geometry
  10. prune — to trim
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. prune — the fruit
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. lean — thin
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. fan — to cool the air
  17. current — of water
  18. fan — a supporter
  19. lean — to bend
  20. prune — to trim
  21. plane — an aircraft
  22. ball — a dance
  23. mate — a partner
  24. lean — to rest against

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