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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. A lot of friends came to ________________ goodbye to me.
  2. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  3. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  4. I'd like to play a game of ________________.
  5. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  6. Let us try to swim against the ________________.
  7. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  8. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  9. I am seized by an uncontrollable ________________ of sadness.
  10. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  11. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  12. The surfers were looking for the perfect ________________.
  13. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  14. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  15. Cut the butternut ________________ into one-inch cubes.
  16. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  17. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  18. The president vowed to ________________ the mutiny.
  19. Here is a list of ________________ job openings.
  20. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  21. Wood does not conduct electric ________________.
  22. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  23. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  24. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.

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

Answer key

  1. wave — with your hand
  2. safe — out of danger
  3. cue — a signal
  4. squash — the sport
  5. cue — a hint
  6. current — of water
  7. object — a thing
  8. can — a tin
  9. wave — a sudden rise
  10. object — to protest
  11. safe — out of danger
  12. wave — of the sea
  13. fan — to cool the air
  14. can — to be able to
  15. squash — the vegetable
  16. safe — a strongbox
  17. can — a tin
  18. squash — to crush
  19. current — happening now
  20. object — an aim
  21. current — electric
  22. cue — for pool
  23. fan — a supporter
  24. fan — a supporter

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