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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. He works in a ________________ mill.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  4. The speedboat left a long ________________ behind it.
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. She took a metal box from the top of the kitchen ________________.
  7. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  8. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  9. She's very handy with a ________________.
  10. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  11. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  12. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  13. What do you think of the new ________________?
  14. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  15. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. I didn't ________________ up well this morning.
  18. When will it ________________ you to start?
  19. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  20. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  21. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  22. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  23. Friends gathered at the ________________ to remember him.
  24. In all probability, the ________________ will fall.

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

Answer key

  1. saw — the tool
  2. staff — employees
  3. suit — in cards
  4. wake — a trail
  5. current — happening now
  6. cabinet — a cupboard
  7. pitch — a sports field
  8. suit — clothes
  9. saw — the tool
  10. safe — a strongbox
  11. current — electric
  12. saw — past of 'see'
  13. cabinet — ministers
  14. current — of water
  15. staff — a stick
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. wake — to stop sleeping
  18. suit — to fit
  19. pitch — completely
  20. staff — employees
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. pitch — a sales talk
  23. wake — before a funeral
  24. cabinet — ministers

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