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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 116 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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  6. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  7. The ________________ took off on time.
  8. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  9. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  12. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  13. Don't do anything ________________.
  14. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  15. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  16. I've got the luggage in my ________________.
  17. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  20. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  21. The tree's ________________ was scarred by lightning strikes.
  22. The elephant has a huge ________________.
  23. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  24. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. current — of water
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. plane — in geometry
  6. rash — a series
  7. plane — an aircraft
  8. current — electric
  9. bay — a part of the sea
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. pass — to spend time
  12. stem — of a plant
  13. rash — hasty
  14. safe — a strongbox
  15. bay — to keep at bay
  16. trunk — of a car
  17. stem — a stem cell
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. rash — on the skin
  20. pass — a permit
  21. trunk — of a tree
  22. trunk — of an elephant
  23. stem — to come from
  24. plane — a tool

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