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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 soldiers did ________________ on the parade ground every morning.
  3. Don't ________________ out at me just because you're upset.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. We had a fire ________________ at school today.
  6. When are we going to ________________?
  7. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  8. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  9. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  10. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  11. I've got to change the light ________________.
  12. The light ________________ burned out.
  13. Use a drill to ________________ a hole in the wall.
  14. The spa offers ________________ extensions.
  15. I'm the one who owns all this ________________.
  16. What do you think of the new ________________?
  17. Algeria is a ________________ of gas and oil.
  18. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  19. Doesn't taking care of babies ________________ you?
  20. She ________________ him three sons and a daughter.
  21. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.
  22. I need a ________________ to install the towel rack.
  23. He felt the sting of the whip's ________________.
  24. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.

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

Answer key

  1. current — electric
  2. drill — army training
  3. lash — to lash out
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. drill — a practice
  6. land — to come down
  7. ruler — for measuring
  8. cabinet — a cupboard
  9. ruler — a monarch
  10. current — of water
  11. bulb — for light
  12. bulb — for light
  13. bore — to drill
  14. lash — an eyelash
  15. land — ground
  16. cabinet — ministers
  17. land — a country
  18. bulb — of a plant
  19. bore — to tire
  20. bore — gave birth
  21. cabinet — ministers
  22. drill — the tool
  23. lash — a whip stroke
  24. current — happening now

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