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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 came to a ________________ in the road and had no idea which direction to go.
  2. My mare is ________________ in color.
  3. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  4. I assure you, everything's ________________.
  5. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  6. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  7. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  8. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  12. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  13. Use a garden ________________ to turn the soil.
  14. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  15. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  18. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  19. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  20. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  21. We usually eat with a knife, ________________ and spoon.
  22. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  23. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  24. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.

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

Answer key

  1. fork — in a road
  2. bay — a horse colour
  3. wake — before a funeral
  4. fine — all right
  5. fine — a penalty
  6. wax — in the ear
  7. bay — a part of the sea
  8. wax — to grow
  9. current — of water
  10. chip — to eat
  11. safe — a strongbox
  12. chip — in a computer
  13. fork — a garden tool
  14. current — happening now
  15. chip — for betting
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. wax — for sculpting
  18. current — electric
  19. bay — to keep at bay
  20. fine — high quality
  21. fork — to eat with
  22. wake — to stop sleeping
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. wake — a trail

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