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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 116 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. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  2. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  3. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  4. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  5. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  6. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.
  7. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  8. He is an ace ________________.
  9. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  10. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  11. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  12. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  13. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  14. That must've been a ________________.
  15. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  16. You shouldn't ________________ things.
  17. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  18. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  19. The King held a masked ________________.
  20. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  21. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  22. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  23. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.
  24. Take your time. There's no ________________.

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

Answer key

  1. rock — a stone
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. bear — to put up with
  4. rock — music
  5. current — happening now
  6. row — a line
  7. row — to paddle
  8. pitcher — in baseball
  9. current — electric
  10. row — a quarrel
  11. pitcher — a jug
  12. rock — to move gently
  13. safe — a strongbox
  14. rush — a thrill
  15. bear — the animal
  16. rush — to hurry
  17. ball — a round shape
  18. current — of water
  19. ball — a dance
  20. pitcher — a jug
  21. safe — out of danger
  22. bear — the animal
  23. ball — a great time
  24. rush — hurry

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