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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. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  3. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.
  4. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  5. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  6. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  7. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  8. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  9. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  10. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  13. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  14. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  15. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  16. How do you ________________ your surname?
  17. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  18. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  21. We've had a long dry ________________ this summer.
  22. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  23. He asked the witch to reverse the ________________.
  24. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. current — of water
  3. deal — to handle
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. cap — a lid
  6. safe — out of danger
  7. patient — a sick person
  8. deal — a big deal
  9. wax — to grow
  10. current — happening now
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. cap — a hat
  13. patient — a sick person
  14. safe — out of danger
  15. safe — a strongbox
  16. spell — letters
  17. cap — of ice
  18. patient — calm and waiting
  19. current — electric
  20. ruler — a monarch
  21. spell — a short time
  22. wax — for sculpting
  23. spell — magic
  24. wax — in the ear

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