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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. It's one o'clock ________________.
  2. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  3. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  4. This knife is not ________________ enough.
  5. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  6. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  7. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  8. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  9. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  10. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  11. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  12. Have you found your soul ________________?
  13. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  16. He's quite ________________, isn't he?
  17. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  18. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  19. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  20. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  21. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  22. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  23. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  24. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.

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

Answer key

  1. sharp — exactly
  2. staff — a stick
  3. rock — a stone
  4. sharp — with an edge
  5. staff — employees
  6. current — electric
  7. cue — a signal
  8. mate — a friend
  9. jam — to spread on bread
  10. safe — out of danger
  11. jam — a tight spot
  12. mate — a partner
  13. staff — employees
  14. rock — music
  15. safe — out of danger
  16. sharp — clever
  17. current — of water
  18. safe — a strongbox
  19. cue — a hint
  20. rock — to move gently
  21. jam — in traffic
  22. mate — to breed
  23. current — happening now
  24. cue — for pool

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