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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. The carpenter used a ________________ to smooth the door.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. The kitchen ________________ is next to the microwave.
  4. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  5. Nobody expected a disaster on this ________________.
  6. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  7. In geometry, a flat surface is called a ________________.
  8. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  9. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Every pianist practices the C major ________________.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  14. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  15. The ________________ took off on time.
  16. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  17. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  18. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  19. He is an ace ________________.
  20. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  21. I got a ________________ for parking in the wrong place.
  22. This shop sells ________________ wines and cheeses.
  23. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  24. I assure you, everything's ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. plane — a tool
  2. current — electric
  3. scale — for weighing
  4. mouse — the animal
  5. scale — size or range
  6. mouse — for a computer
  7. plane — in geometry
  8. safe — out of danger
  9. pitcher — a jug
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. scale — in music
  12. current — happening now
  13. fan — a supporter
  14. mouse — the animal
  15. plane — an aircraft
  16. current — of water
  17. pitcher — a jug
  18. fan — to cool the air
  19. pitcher — in baseball
  20. fan — a supporter
  21. fine — a penalty
  22. fine — high quality
  23. safe — out of danger
  24. fine — all right

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