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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. I'll stand ________________ for what I deserve.
  2. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  3. Our bedroom windows ________________ the sea.
  4. The newcomer sat down at the ________________ of the table.
  5. She works as an advertiser at a New Jersey ________________.
  6. The light ________________ burned out.
  7. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  8. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  9. Where did you ________________ them?
  10. I have a corn on my right ________________.
  11. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  12. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  13. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  14. I've got to change the light ________________.
  15. False peace will not ________________.
  16. She had a strange look on her ________________.
  17. At ________________, we arrived at the village.
  18. Is that Pat Hanrahan's ________________ looking hungry and willing.
  19. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  20. Nothing provides more peace of mind than a ________________ decision.
  21. Sooner or later you'll have to ________________ the truth.
  22. Heather can grow to a ________________ or so tall.
  23. He refilled his coffee ________________.
  24. Today is the ________________ day of the holidays. Back to school tomorrow!

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

Answer key

  1. firm — steady
  2. current — electric
  3. face — to point toward
  4. foot — the bottom
  5. firm — a company
  6. bulb — for light
  7. bulb — of a plant
  8. current — of water
  9. mug — to rob
  10. foot — part of the body
  11. cue — for pool
  12. current — happening now
  13. cue — a hint
  14. bulb — for light
  15. last — to go on
  16. face — part of the head
  17. last — finally
  18. mug — a face
  19. cue — a signal
  20. firm — decided
  21. face — to confront
  22. foot — a measure
  23. mug — a cup
  24. last — final

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