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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. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  2. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  5. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  6. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  7. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  8. I can't ________________ this cold.
  9. The light ________________ burned out.
  10. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  11. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  12. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  13. A smaller training pitch was installed beside the main ________________.
  14. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  15. The train was so full that I had to ________________ all the while.
  16. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  17. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  18. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  19. I've got to change the light ________________.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  22. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.
  23. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  24. Have you found your soul ________________?

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

Answer key

  1. mate — to breed
  2. bank — for money
  3. pit — a hole
  4. safe — out of danger
  5. bank — of a river
  6. cue — a signal
  7. safe — a strongbox
  8. stand — to bear
  9. bulb — for light
  10. bulb — of a plant
  11. pit — in a race
  12. current — of water
  13. stand — for spectators
  14. cue — a hint
  15. stand — on your feet
  16. safe — out of danger
  17. current — electric
  18. cue — for pool
  19. bulb — for light
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. current — happening now
  22. bank — for money
  23. mate — a friend
  24. mate — a partner

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