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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. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  2. Is it always a sin to tell a ________________?
  3. I would like to have a ________________ here.
  4. This looks like a gunshot ________________.
  5. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  6. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  7. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  8. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  9. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  10. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  11. It's not a deep ________________. It's just a scratch.
  12. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!
  13. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  14. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  15. The hunter does not ________________ down with the prey.
  16. We ________________ up on opposing sides.
  17. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  18. My mare is ________________ in color.
  19. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  20. False peace will not ________________.
  21. A ________________ is a veil over the lips.
  22. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  23. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  24. I'll take my ________________ from you.

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

Answer key

  1. current — happening now
  2. lie — an untruth
  3. rest — a break
  4. wound — an injury
  5. rest — what's left
  6. foot — a measure
  7. bay — to keep at bay
  8. foot — the bottom
  9. current — of water
  10. bay — a part of the sea
  11. wound — an injury
  12. last — final
  13. rest — what's left
  14. cue — for pool
  15. lie — to recline
  16. wound — past of 'wind'
  17. last — finally
  18. bay — a horse colour
  19. current — electric
  20. last — to go on
  21. lie — an untruth
  22. foot — part of the body
  23. cue — a signal
  24. cue — a hint

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