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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. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  2. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  3. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  4. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  5. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  8. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  9. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  10. How do you ________________ your surname?
  11. The ________________ found him guilty of stealing money.
  12. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  13. The ball is in your ________________.
  14. When a clown is made king, the ________________ becomes a circus.
  15. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  16. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  17. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  18. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  19. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  20. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  23. When will it ________________ you to start?
  24. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. spell — a short time
  2. suit — clothes
  3. leaves — to go away
  4. toast — bread
  5. jam — in traffic
  6. current — of water
  7. suit — in cards
  8. leaves — of a tree
  9. spell — magic
  10. spell — letters
  11. court — of law
  12. leaves — lets stay
  13. court — for sport
  14. court — of a king
  15. current — happening now
  16. wave — a sudden rise
  17. toast — the most admired
  18. wave — with your hand
  19. jam — to spread on bread
  20. wave — of the sea
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. toast — a drink to someone
  23. suit — to fit
  24. current — electric

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